KARACHI, June 29: The WHO operations officer for Sindh, Dr G. N. Kazi, on Tuesday said illiteracy was a major hurdle in creating awareness among the masses about health related issues in Pakistan.

He expressed these views on the second day of the first midwifery symposium on "Updates in Midwifery" organised by Sobhraj Maternity Hospital. He said that resources were not being properly utilised for spreading awareness about health related issues, therefore, emphasising the need to make the role of midwives and lady health visitors active on field.

"We have to observe the situation carefully and take prompt action to improve the situation," he added. Director, Nursing Council Sindh Ilmia Mughal said that midwife specialists were much needed to handle emergency situations during delivery in a more professional way, so that maternal mortality rate in Pakistan, being highest in the region, could be reduced.

"Plan for specialist midwives is under way in the country," she informed, adding there was no ban on recruitment of nurses, midwives and LHVs. "Career structure should be devised for nurses and midwives and programmes should be launched to upgrade the professional skills of nurses and midwives," she added.

Ilmiya Mughal dispelled the impression that there was any official ban on fresh recruitment of nurses, midwives and lady health visitors. She, however, clarified that vacant posts of nurses happened to be of higher cadre, and induction to these positions could be made through Public Service Commission, adding that interviews for these were being conducted.

Reminding that the current ratio of one nurse against 35 patients needed to be improved, she said that in Sindh, only about 550 qualified nursing graduates pass out from various schools each year.

She regretted the apathy and indifference in government sector towards midwives, reminding that of 850 designated posts for midwives, no less than 450 were being occupied by ayas and dais (traditional birth attendants).

MS, Sobhraj Maternity Hospital Dr Shabeen Naz demanded of the city government to increase stipend of midwifery students to Rs2,000 per month. Dr Shabeen also suggested that the training period for midwifery trainees should be increased from one year duration to two years, followed by one-year mandatory work at a government tertiary care institute.

Students from various midwifery schools of the city presented their scientific papers. Farzana, Nageena and Shabana secured first, second and third positions respectively. In the poster competition, Sumaira bagged first, Tariq second and Sabeeha Khan third position. Ms Sanuras De Kanth and Kumla Kumari were awarded special prizes. - PPI/APP