47. Pakistan Economic Survey 2011-12 - Consultancy Services in ...

Health and Nutritiontook necessary measures to overcome anyemergency situation related to dengue.Drug AbuseIllicit drug consumption, production andtrafficking have emerged as a serious globalissue. Drug abuse has also affected Pakistan inmany ways. Proliferation of drugs andpsychotropic substances within Pakistani societyand the subsequent increase in number of drugaddicts are emerging challenges.A Drug Control Master Plan (2010-14) has beenprepared to reduce the health, social andeconomic cost associated with drug traffickingand substance abuse in Pakistan. The planincludes short, medium and long term initiativesfor implementation of the National Anti-Narcotics Policy 2010. The Ministry ofNarcotics Control in collaboration andcooperation with the provincial governments andother stakeholders, is taking measures toeffectively implement the policy.Currently, there are 16 ongoing developmentprojects being implemented at a total cost ofRs.4.67 billion including local cost of Rs.2.13billion and foreign aid of Rs.2.52 billion.Table: 11.6 Drug SeizuresS.No. Kind of Narcotics Quantity of DrugsSeized (in Kgs)i Opium 8,725.006ii Morphine 1,249.000iii Heroin 1,641.014iv Hashish 65,445.850Source: Narcotic Control DivisionPakistan is one of the top three countries wherethe confiscation rate, seizure of narcotics, drugsand precursor chemicals is high. The seizures ofnarcotics by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF)during the period July 2011 – 15 th February,2012 are given in the table 11.6:Food and NutritionThe links between malnutrition, ill health andpoverty are well known. Disease contributes topoverty due to the costs of illness and reducesearning capacity during and after illness. Goodhealth is a first step towards prosperity andreduction of poverty. It is therefore, critical tomove towards a system which will addresshealth challenges and prevent households fromfalling into poverty due to poor health. InPakistan, health sector investments are viewedas part of the government’s poverty alleviationendeavors.Food security is a national priority. According tothe recent National Nutrition Survey (NNS)2011, about 32 percent children under the age offive years and 15 percent mothers areunderweight. About 30 percent babies have lowbirth weight, reflecting the poor nutritionalstatus of mothers.The national food availability estimated throughfood balance sheets, has been satisfactory formajor food items during the fiscal year 2011-12.The average calories estimated based on foodavailability has been 2,430 per capita per day.The overall food availability trend of essentialfood items for the last five years is given in thefollowing table.The consumption of essential food items showsslight improvement in calorie intake from 1,650to 1,700 and protein from 44 to 46gm per capitaper day in 2010-11 compared to data from theHIES 2007-08. The change in food consumptionbetween 2007-08 and 2010-11 has mainly beenthrough increase in cereals: wheat 3 percent, rice12 percent, pulses 30 percent, vegetable gheeand oil 8 percent, meat 5 percent, fruits andvegetables 11 percent. Consumption decreasedfor sugar (1 percent) and milk (3 percent). Foodconsumption remained lower than food availableand the minimum food basket 11 Planning and Development Division 2012159