ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister Health Dr Nadeem Jan on Monday said that Pakistan has formulated an integrated strategy to control malnutrition.

He was speaking to US Ambassador Donald Blome during a meeting in which health-relate d issues in Pal(istan were discussed.

The situation of nutrition in Pal(istan was also discussed between the both dignitaries. Dr. Nadeem Jan said that the Ministry of Health has formulated an integrated strategy to control malnutrition. A task force on nutrition has been formed, which will ensure coordinated actions between the federation and the provinces, donors, and stakeholders, said the Health Minister `We have formulated an integrated strategy to eradicate polio. Our polio worl(ers are worl(ing on the frontlines.

Under this integrated strategy, the services of polio workers will be utilised in other areas of the health sector,like family planning, nutrition, immunisation programmes, etc.,` he said.It is worth mentioning that, according to different surveys, over 40 per cent of women and children across the country are suffering from deficiencies related to a lack of essential vitamins and minerals. Moreover, 45 per cent deaths up to the age of Eve are attributed to undernutrition.

Currently, the main deficiencies in children are a lacl( of iodine, vitamin A, iron, folic acid, and zinc.

According to a statement, the US Ambassador appreciated the actions and reforms taken by the Health Minister in a short period of time. Dr.

Nadeem Jan took important steps to keep the country and world safe from epidemics and diseases, said the US Ambassador.

The minister said that the government of Pakistan has successfully organised the Global Health Security Summit in Islamabad. The US ambassador appreciated the vision of the Global Health Security Agenda and said that this was the need of the hour.

In this context, the USA will cooperate to advance the agenda of globalh e a 1 t h security.