Over Half of Mansehra’s Women Face Malnutrition, Health Gaps

Rafia Jahanzeb/APP

Islamabad: In Mansehra district, where nearly 1.8 million people live, more than half of women of reproductive age suffer from malnutrition or anemia, according to health experts and local accounts. 

Limited health services, low awareness of nutrition, and poor dietary diversity are quietly affecting generations of women and children in the area.

“In our village, most women don’t even know what folic acid or vitamins are,” said Zara Bibi from Oghi. “There’s no one to guide us, and many suffer from anemia or face complications during pregnancy.”

Doctors in the district report high levels of deficiencies among female patients. “We see women with Vitamin D, B12, and iron deficiencies, complaining of fatigue, bone pain, and weakness,” said Dr. Mehreen Asad from Mansehra. “Without proper diets and regular supplements, these women face long-term health risks.”

Cultural and social barriers add to the crisis. In rural towns, women’s mobility is often restricted, requiring permission or accompaniment to visit clinics. Although female doctors are available in urban centers, their numbers are limited in villages. As a result, women frequently delay or avoid medical care, even during serious health issues.

The situation mirrors wider trends in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, where nearly 40% of children under five are stunted and 20% are wasted, according to the 2018 National Nutrition Survey. Malnutrition often goes unnoticed in rural households where health guidance and awareness remain scarce.

Economic hardship compounds the problem. Families rely heavily on wheat and maize for daily meals, with little access to fruits, vegetables, or dairy. “We can’t afford milk or vitamins. Our children fall sick again and again because they don’t get enough nutrition,” said Amna Gul, a mother from Oghi.

Access to healthcare also remains patchy. Primary health units in many villages function without female doctors or midwives, while Lady Health Workers are overstretched and rarely trained in nutrition counseling. Vitamin A supplementation and deworming campaigns run irregularly, and systematic anemia screening for pregnant women is lacking.

Experts warn that malnutrition in Mansehra extends beyond health, affecting education, productivity, and long-term well-being. Despite an overall literacy rate of 63%, female literacy in the region lags far behind, limiting women’s access to health knowledge and decision-making.

Health specialists recommend a set of targeted interventions, including mobile clinics staffed by women, nutrition training for health workers, better NGO coordination, community awareness programs, promotion of kitchen gardens, and routine anemia screening.

They caution that if the crisis remains unaddressed, Mansehra’s health challenges will deepen, putting future generations at risk.