KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has expressed grave concern over the growing impact of food insecurity, economic hardship and mental health problems in Pakistan, urging federal and provincial governments to take emergency measures to support vulnerable families and prevent further human tragedies.
In a statement issued on World Food Day 2026, the association referred to tragic incidents involving entire families, including children and highly educated individuals, in Karachi’s Bin Qasim and Ahsanabad areas. It said the reported cases highlighted the urgent need to address the interconnected challenges of financial distress, debt, social isolation and mental health.
Observed globally on October 16, World Food Day 2026 carries the theme “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow,” highlighting the role of science, technology and agricultural innovation in developing sustainable and resilient food systems.
However, the PMA said the situation in Pakistan remained deeply concerning, with persistent inflation, economic instability and declining household purchasing power making it increasingly difficult for low-income and middle-class families to afford adequate and nutritious food.
According to figures cited in the association’s statement, more than 33 per cent of children under five in Pakistan suffer from stunting, while child wasting remains a growing concern. The association warned that inadequate nutrition could seriously affect children’s physical growth and cognitive development.
The PMA also highlighted Pakistan’s severe hunger burden in South Asia, describing the country’s food security situation as a major public health concern.
The medical association emphasised that food security, physical nourishment and mental health were closely interconnected. Financial hardship, mounting debt, food insecurity and social isolation can intensify psychological distress and leave vulnerable individuals and families struggling to cope.
Referring to the tragic incidents reported in Karachi’s Bin Qasim and Ahsanabad areas, the PMA said the loss of entire households and young, educated individuals underscored the need for a coordinated response to the country’s worsening socio-economic and public health challenges.
The association urged federal and provincial governments, political leaders, social workers, non-governmental organisations, community representatives and public health authorities to address the situation on an emergency basis.
Among its key recommendations, the PMA called for dedicated, round-the-clock mental health desks at primary healthcare facilities and tertiary public hospitals. These facilities should provide psychiatric emergency support alongside clinical nutrition services for vulnerable families.
It also recommended integrating mental health treatment, essential psychiatric medicines and basic nutritional assistance into public healthcare coverage and subsidised social protection programmes to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent people from accessing essential services.
The association stressed the need for public awareness campaigns to break the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage people experiencing severe distress to seek professional assistance without fear or embarrassment.
The PMA further called for immediate support mechanisms for families facing extreme debt, food insecurity and housing instability, warning that unaddressed financial difficulties could deepen distress and increase the risk of further tragedies.
It said preventing such incidents was a shared responsibility and urged political leaders, social workers, neighbourhood committees and local institutions to establish stronger support networks for individuals and families experiencing hardship in silence.
PMA Secretary General Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro reminded the public that people facing severe anxiety, malnutrition or financial distress should not suffer in silence. He encouraged them to share their difficulties with family members, trusted colleagues or community support networks.
The association stressed that timely assistance, accessible healthcare, nutritional support and collective social responsibility were essential to protecting vulnerable families and addressing the country’s growing public health challenges.