PESHAWAR, Feb 22: The federal government is launching a five-year programme aimed at improving services concerning the mother, child and neonatal care in the country, according to officials.

The federal government had approved the PC-1 of the project estimated to cost Rs20 billion, they said, adding that the project would be completed in two phases, from 2007 to 2012. The government had already released Rs100 million for the first phase, they said.

According to the officials, out of 100,000 newborns, 720 die in Pakistan every year; and of 100,000 mothers, 350 succumb to birth-related complications in a year.

They said the government had taken numerous steps aimed at achieving the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

The project, they said, was also aimed at curtailing the maternal, infant and child mortality rates in line with the MDGs.

The project had been finalised after hectic consultations with officials concerned, elected representatives and experts at the union council, tehsil, district and provincial level.

It would be launched in all four provinces and Azad Kashmir simultaneously after approval from the prime minister.

The officials said they would try their best to avoid duplication of activities for improving the maternal, neonatal and child health care.

They said efforts would be made to supplement the ongoing projects and coordinate with the respective governments at all levels.

They said strengthening the district health system would come under special focus. Districts would be provided with financial and technical assistance to build their capacity, they added.

Establishment of an Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) department has been cited as an important feature of the project. It will enable people to seek emergency services at basic health units and rural health centres.

Targets would be achieved during the stipulated time period, they said, adding that steps would be taken to make the activities of the project acceptable at the community level.

As part of the project, the concept of community-based skilled birth attendants would be introduced in the country, said the officials.

The World Health Organisation had termed the project “a big leaf forward for achieving the MDGs” and extended its fullest cooperation to the government, they said.

The ongoing mega projects for maternal and neonatal services at the provincial level would be completed with the coordination of the federal government, they said.