Floods as catalysts for malnutrition and maternal-child healthcare risks in Pakistan

Abstract

Floods will remain the primary cause of intergenerational malnutrition and growing health inequity, unless a resolution to the issue is enforced across the area. The diversity of climate change, malnutrition, and maternal-child health came into sharp focus with the 2022 floods in Pakistan. Meanwhile, the worsening infrastructure, as well as the epidemic outbreak, posed threats to pregnant women as well as newborn babies. It is obvious that the presence of socioeconomic inequalities, gender inequalities, and structural gaps is the main factor to aggravate these threats, yet the presence of community midwives in the local populations can be the key to mitigating the damage.

Keywords: Child; Floods; Malnutrition; Child nutrition disorders; Pakistan; Socioeconomic factors

Citation: Khaliq H. Floods as catalysts for malnutrition and maternal-child healthcare risks in Pakistan. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2025;29(7):660-662. DOI: 10.35975/apic.v29i7.2951

Received: May 09, 2025; Revised: October 26, 2024; Accepted: January 01, 2025