KARACHI: Expressing concern over growing numbers of maternal deaths associated with Caesarean sections (C-sections), Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho at a summit held on Friday noted that the government was taking urgent measures to address this issue, while suggesting that tubal ligation should be strongly considered after a third C-section to help reduce maternal health risks.
She was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the 4th International Family Planning Summit titled “Maan Rahay Salamat (Safe Motherhood)”, organised at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC).
The summit was held under the theme “Youth, Family Planning and Digital Innovation,” with the objective of promoting maternal health, raising awareness about family planning, and addressing the challenges of rapid population growth through innovative and evidence-based approaches.
Highlighting government measures for safe deliveries, the minister said birth station centres were being established, especially in remote areas, to ensure that women living in underserved communities have timely access to quality maternal healthcare services.
4th International Family Planning Summit held at JPMC
“The government is making tangible investments to bring services to every doorstep. We are converting old dispensaries into birthing stations, training community midwives to handle home births safely, optimising our ambulance system for swift C-section referrals, and overhauling our supply chain at the facility level to ensure zero stock-outs, so our frontline workers have the tools they need to save lives,” she told the audience.
On the ongoing HIV/AIDS challenges, the minister said the government was implementing comprehensive measures to strengthen HIV prevention and early diagnosis across the province.
“HIV screening has been accelerated, while additional Comprehensive Disease Control Centres are being activated to expand testing, ensure early detection, and improve access to treatment,” she said.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by public hospitals, Dr Pechuho said the government had recruited additional healthcare professionals, while further recruitment was underway to strengthen the healthcare system and improve the quality of medical services.
Vice Chancellor Jinnah Sindh Medical University and Chief Patron Prof Amjad Siraj Memon emphasised male contraception, stating: “Vasectomy is a vital tool for population control. We must create awareness and ensure accessibility at all hospitals—Sindh has already seen cases surge from 24 in 2021 to over 4,000 in 2025, a shift we must build on.”
In his remarks, Minister of Universities and Board Ismail Rahoo said that the youth was our greatest asset. “Higher education institutions must go beyond producing graduates—they must foster a culture of reproductive health awareness and responsible decision-making.”
Sharing data on population increase, chief organiser Prof Nighat Shah, Pro-Vice Chancellor JSMU and head of the department Ward 9B JPMC, said that Pakistan’s population was growing by six million annually, yet contraceptive use was only 34 per cent, with 17.8pc unmet need.
“This summit is about equipping youth with digital tools and knowledge to make informed choices,” she remarked.
The summit also saw distinguished remarks from Executive Director JPMC Dr Khalid Sher, alongside a gathering of experts, researchers, and policymakers committed to advancing maternal health and family planning initiatives.
Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026
