Maternal and Child Health

In Upper Kohistan, 98 out of 718 babies – roughly 13.65 per cent – were born underweight, making it the most affected district in the province. Kolai Palas followed with a 9.04 per cent rate (34 out of 376), while Upper Chitral recorded 76 such cases out of 1,212 births, translating to 6.27 per cent.

The decline in support follows the suspension of US assistance, which previously accounted for nearly half of the international funding directed toward Afghanistan’s healthcare.

With reduced aid, already fragile services are deteriorating, and local efforts to compensate remain insufficient.

According to the report, achieving the proposed 2030 global nutrition targets could bring substantial economic and social benefits to Pakistan.

The aim of NHM is to ensure progress towards the goals and targets set out in the National Health Policy, 2017 for ensuring "universal access to equitable, affordable and quality health care services, accountable and responsive to people's needs".

Over the years, Sri Lanka has successfully eliminated major diseases like malaria, filariasis, polio, and neonatal tetanus, further solidifying its position as a regional healthcare leader.

Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) play a pivotal role in these community-level initiatives. ASHAs conduct home visits, organize group meetings, and participate in health campaigns to educate individuals and families about the importance of healthy lifestyles.

In 2014, the WHO certified India as polio-free after three years without a single case of wild poliovirus. This was a moment of triumph, celebrated globally as a landmark achievement in public health.