KARACHI, Oct 24: The chief executive of Marie Stopes Society, UK, Dr Tim Black, has emphasised the need for collective efforts by NGOs and the government to fight high maternal mortality, AIDS and tuberculosis.

Talking to newsmen here in the MSS’s office on Thursday, he said the society was making efforts to improve the reproductive health care facilities for adolescent men and women in Pakistan.

The Marie Stopes has working relations with NGOs in more than 39 countries.

Dr Tim said adolescents were one-fourth of the population of Pakistan and to work for their reproductive health care was the responsibility of the public and private sectors.

He said the MSS had already begun Community Advocacy Network and Youth Advocacy Network programmes in many cities of Pakistan to bring positive change in society with the help of healthy and prosperous adolescents.

During his stay, Dr Tim also visited different health clinics of the MSS and inaugurated a new clinic in Baldia Town.

He also held discussions on plans with Dr Mohsina Bilgrami and other officials of the MSS.

Dr Tim also held talks with officials of the health department, government of Sindh.—APP