ISLAMABAD: President Dr. Arif Alvi on Monday stressed the need for devising a comprehensive plan to address the challenges being faced by Pakistan in the education and health sectors. During a UNICEF presentation on its initiatives in Pakistan, President Alvi expressed concerns over the alarming number of out-of-school kids.
He said that more than 23 million children were out of school, adding that the problem should be addressed on priority. Abdullah Abdulaziz Fadil, the Country Representative of UNICEF, briefed the meeting about its role and achievements of the organization in both sectors in Pakistan.
The president said that educating these children was a big challenge that could not be dealt with only with the present bricks and mortar system but needed digital and online learning models.
The UNICEF country representative informed the meeting about the impacts of recent floods on children and the support provided by UNICEF to the children of flood-hit areas.
Children’s health Issues
He said that 134,779 kids with serious malnutrition had been enrolled for treatment, while 1,194,940 children had been immunized from measles.
He said that UNICEF set up 1,232 temporary learning centers and assisted 180,889 children in continuing learning in a protected and safe environment through various modalities.
He underlined that 1,195,088 people had been given access to safe drinking water.
He also shared UNICEF’s 5-Years Program (2023-27) to strengthen Pakistan’s health and education sectors.
The meeting was briefed that UNICEF had included disability and mental health in its programs.
Abdullah Abdulaziz Fadil said that 40 per cent of kids in Pakistan under the age of 5 years were suffering from the problem of stunting, and if this disease was addressed, it could assist in increasing the country’s GDP considerably.
President said that malnutrition, mental health, and disability were the main health problems that required urgent attention and prompt decisions by the government to address these issues.
