Pakistan launches national plan to halve anaemia in women and girls by 2030: what it covers

Key takeaways

• Pakistan launched the National Anaemia Reduction Plan (2025–2030) in Islamabad on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, with support from WHO, UNICEF and other partners.
• The target is to cut anaemia among women and adolescent girls by 50% by 2030, in line with a World Health Assembly goal.
• Officials said about two in five women of reproductive age and more than half of adolescent girls and young children have anaemia.
• Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal called for dedicated anaemia and stunting task forces in every province.
• WHO's country representative linked anaemia to heavy bleeding after childbirth, a major cause of maternal deaths in Pakistan.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Please consult a doctor before taking iron or other supplements.

What is anaemia?

Anaemia means the blood has less haemoglobin than normal. According to APP's report on the launch, it can cause tiredness, weakness and lower physical capacity, and it can seriously affect a mother's health in pregnancy.

Speakers at the launch stressed that iron deficiency is not the only cause. Ahsan Iqbal listed other nutritional gaps, infections, inflammation, reproductive health problems, inherited blood disorders and wider social conditions.

The numbers

What the plan includes

Speakers at the launch, as reported by Business Recorder and APP, highlighted:

• Better maternal nutrition
• Wider iron and folic acid supplementation
• Improved screening, diagnosis and treatment
• Reliable supply of essential medicines and commodities
• Stronger data and accountability systems
• Joint work across health, education, social protection, food systems, and water and sanitation

What officials said

• Ahsan Iqbal said anaemia is not only a health issue but a barrier to learning, work and economic growth. He asked provinces to expand social-sector programmes and give districts more administrative and financial power, Business Recorder reported.
• Dr Ellen Thom, WHO Country Representative, said anaemia is a major contributor to postpartum haemorrhage and that WHO will support evidence-based steps.
• Jennifer Melton, UNICEF Deputy Country Representative, said reaching vulnerable and underserved communities will need stronger health systems and monitoring.

What happens next

• Provinces are expected to take ownership of implementation; Ahsan Iqbal said progress must be measured by results, not activities.
• Watch for provincial task forces and budget allocations for supplements and screening.
• No detailed costing or province-wise targets were reported at the launch.