Key Takeaways
- Sana, a 13-year-old girl, was married to a much older man and faced health challenges due to early marriage and malnutrition.
- Rural areas lack access to maternal healthcare, leading to increased risks for both mothers and newborns.
- Malnutrition among women of childbearing age perpetuates an intergenerational cycle of health issues in Pakistan.
Sana, a 13-year-old girl from rural Pakistan, was married to a 10-year-older cousin. Her physical and cognitive development was still in a crucial stage, yet she was forced into early marriage due to her father’s financial struggles and the impact of escalating climate events.
Sana’s father, whose only source of income was small-scale farming, could not afford healthy eating and nutrition for his daughter. She was stunted and undernourished, making her more vulnerable to the consequences of early marriage.
Without access to rural maternal healthcare, Sana had to travel a long and difficult journey to reach a hospital, highlighting the stark reality of healthcare disparities in rural Pakistan.
The consequences of malnutrition among women of childbearing age are significant, as Pakistan faces an intergenerational cycle of malnutrition. This cycle transfers severe deficiencies to their children, leading to a triple burden of malnutrition: underweight, obesity, and micronutrient deficiencies.
Teenage pregnancies with poor dietary habits result in lower haemoglobin and calcium levels, causing iron deficiency anaemia or pre-eclampsia. These conditions are more prevalent among mothers in rural areas who lack timely antenatal services.
Urban areas, in contrast, provide mothers with access to vaccination, iron and folic acid supplementation, and trained medical assistance during childbirth. These services are crucial for ensuring the health of both mothers and newborns.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that the risk of maternal death in low-income countries, such as Pakistan, is one in 66, compared to one in 8,000 in high-income countries. Investing in maternal and infant health is essential for building healthier communities and fostering economic growth.
The United Nations emphasises the need to address maternal and neonatal mortality as a priority, aiming to reduce the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) to 70 deaths per 100,000 live births and the neonatal mortality ratio (NMR) to 12 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030, in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2030.
The disparity between urban and rural areas in Pakistan is a significant barrier to meeting these targets. Without immediate action, the cycle of malnutrition and poor maternal health will continue to threaten the health of future generations.
