ISLAMABAD: Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Pakistan (SOGP) President Dr Aziz Un Nissa said ensuring the optimal health and adequate nutrition of women, especially before and during pregnancy, and the postpartum period could break the inter-generational cycle of malnutrition.
Gynecologists were considered the “go to” doctors for women for most of the health issues while pregnant women often rely on obstetricians, she noted.
“Their role is crucial for improving women’s nutritional status by integrating counseling for dietary diversity, weight management, and healthy lifestyle and exercise in their routine”, Dr Nissa explained.
NMU Organizes Seminar on Role of Healthcare Providers for Improving Maternal Nutrition
She was speaking at a seminar organized by Nutrition International titled ‘Role of Healthcare Providers for Improving Maternal Nutrition’ at Nishtar Medical University (NMU) here on Friday.
“Healthcare professionals, especially obstetricians and gynecologists have a unique opportunity to undertake nutritional assessment and counseling of women from early adolescence to older age”, said Dr Sher Shah Syed, President of Pakistan National Forum on Women’s Health.
Dr Syed said that adolescent, preconception, and maternal nutrition represented a major public health issue that affected not only the health of women but also that of future generations.
In Pakistan, Women are Suffering from Malnutrition
In Pakistan, a substantial number of women of reproductive age or future mothers were suffering from the triple burden of malnutrition – 14 percent of them were underweight, 24 percent overweight, while 42 percent were anemic, he disclosed.
Dr Shabina Raza, Country Director of Nutrition International, shared, “This year, Nutrition International celebrates its 30 years of impact to enhance the nutrition status of people around the globe.
Nutrition International is a close ally of federal and provincial governments for more than two decades in Pakistan, to address micro-nutrient deficiencies, especially among women and children through our Supplementation Programmes like Vitamin A, Iron Folic Acid, and Food Fortification Programmes, including wheat flour, oil and salt iodization across the country.
Healthcare Providers had Important Role in Ensuring Nutrition of Mothers
Sharing the salient features of Maternal Nutrition Strategy Pakistan 2022-27, Dr Khawaja Masuood Ahmed, National Coordinator, National Fortification Alliance, MoNHSR&C said that the strategy was developed to support optimal nutrition, health, and well-being of all women in Pakistan, as well as prevent all forms of malnutrition among vulnerable women.
Nutrition counseling during antenatal care (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC) was one of the key components of essential nutrition actions. He further added that healthcare providers, especially obstetricians had an important role in assuring the health and well-being as well as proper nutrition of mothers. They should spend some time counseling pregnant mothers, their husbands, and family members.
Antenatal and Postnatal Crucial Period During Pregnancy that Influence Mother and Child Health
Discussing the role of gynecologists and obstetricians in nutrition assessment and counseling during ANC and PNC, Dr Farhana Shahid, Country Nutrition Advisor for Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) said antenatal and postnatal were the most crucial period during pregnancy that influence maternal and child health.
“It is, therefore, critical that healthcare providers should undertake nutrition assessment and provide information and counseling to women and their families on the types, diversity, and amounts of food to meet the dietary requirements of women, exercise, and appropriate weight gain, in addition to nutrition supplementation. Gynecologists should counsel and encourage mothers for early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding.
