ISLAMABAD, May 10: The maternal mortality rate in Pakistan, which goes up to 1200 out of a 100,000 delivery cases, is one of the highest in the world.

This was stated by Dr Nasim Ashraf, Chairman National Commission for Human Development (NCHD), at the 3rd national workshop for formulating a national plan of action for community midwifery here on Saturday.

The workshop was organized by the NCHD in collaboration with Save the Children and UNFPA to finalize the project to provide effective home-based care during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum period.

As many as 80 per cent deliveries in the country are home- based, said Dr Ashraf. The prime minister has directed the concerned officials to develop a national plan of action for community midwifery to be moved in the current fiscal year. “The project once approved will be implemented within six months and will help save as many as a hundred thousands lives of mothers every year.”—Jamal Shahid