ISLAMABAD, March 30: Health Minister Mohammad Nasir Khan on Tuesday called upon civil society leaders, health professionals, international donors and health-care service providers to help the government improve maternal health situation in the country.

Speaking at the conclusion of an "In-country training programme on safe motherhood," organized by Mother and Child Health Centre (MCHC) of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), the minister said a large number of human-related problems were deep-rooted in our social, cultural and economic norms which needed to be addressed collectively.

He said the government was giving top priority to improving maternal health situation, the results of which were visible through the joint venture and technical cooperation of the health professionals of Pakistan and Japan.

He said public sector was initiating reforms and a large share of government's health expenditure was being directed towards basic health services, such as reproductive health and communicable diseases' control.

Community-based female health workers are being supported to bring services closer to women, he said. He expressed satisfaction over the fact that contraceptives' demand in the country was increasing day by day, which was a sign of encouragement for policy makers and health-care professionals.

Praising the efforts of Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) and Pims, the minister stressed the need for carrying out sustainable training programmes, like training on safe motherhood, at district and tehsil level in collaboration with the private sector.

Mr Nobuyuki Yamaura, the country representative of Jica, and Dr Fazle Hadi apprised the participants of the implementation and outcome of the programme.