A silent crisis has taken hold in Pakistan as research suggested that every second woman in the country suffers from anaemia.
Anaemia has tightened its grip on Pakistan’s health, development and future. The problem remains largely unseen, but its effects risk passing on to future generations. In Pakistan, 41 per cent of women aged between 15 and 49 suffer from a lack of blood. Each year, more than 900,000 pregnant women become affected by anaemia.
Research indicates that iron deficiency has become common among women. Fatigue, shortness of breath, weakness and dizziness have turned into routine complaints. Anaemia gives rise to complications during pregnancy. Pakistan still has a high fertility rate per woman, while short gaps between pregnancies and poor nutrition drain a woman’s physical reserves.
Medical experts say that as household size increases, food becomes insufficient and access to health services remains limited. Mothers feed everyone else, but fall behind themselves. This population pressure fuels anaemia.
This pressure does not affect mothers alone. Pakistan ranks second in South Asia for anaemia among children. Each year, 2.8 million children in the country receive a diagnosis of blood deficiency. Children born to anaemic mothers are often underweight. These children lag behind in learning and fall ill more frequently.
Doctors say that to break this continuing cycle, awareness of better nutrition is essential alongside iron supplements. Most importantly, family planning services must become widely accessible.
Anaemia is not merely a medical issue. It is a social challenge linked to population growth, poverty and a lack of planning. Experts say that when population pressure eases, every woman can gain access to adequate food and health services. This, they say, can lead to stronger mothers, healthier children and a stronger Pakistan.
