KARACHI, Dec 26: A three-day workshop on “module for refresher training of lady health workers on maternal and neonatal healthcare” got under way here on Monday.

Keeping in view the importance of mother’s health in the making of a good family and nation, the federal government has taken different measures and started the National Programme for Family Planning and Primary HealthCare, under which lady health workers have got immense role to play towards the betterment of mother and neonatal health, said a spokesperson for the organizers of the workshop.

The workshop organized by the Primary Healthcare Cell of the federal health ministry and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is aimed at preparing a consensus document and module which would be implemented as part of training activities of the lady health workers supposed to work for the reduction in maternal deaths and ensure safe motherhood.

“In our society only 31 per cent deliveries are made by trained workers whereas 79 per cent by trained or untrained “dais” or workers. Only 28 per cent deliveries are made in the hospitals or in health centres whereas 71 per cent at homes, the participants were apprised during the workshop.

The training module coming out of the workshop will be initially implemented as a pilot project at 10 UNFPA and seven Unicef districts in 2006-07, After the evaluation of the pilot projects, the module for refresher training would be implemented all over the country, added the spokesperson.

The participants of the workshop include national and provincial level coordinators, provincial masters’ trainers, representatives from UNFP, Unicef, health marketing units and gynaecologists and doctors.