KARACHI, Oct 31: Experts have recommended the need to formalize reproductive health education programme at high school and college levels as it would help prevent the high rate of maternal mortality and death rates in the country.

Panelists comprising senior gynaecologists and obstetricians at a round- table discussion, organized here on Thursday, registered with great concern the lack of adequate knowledge about the issue among the majority of Pakistani women, in particular and the public, in general, and said this was seriously affecting the population welfare efforts being made in the country.

The panelists were Dr Jahanara Paul (Aga Khan University), Dr Rubina Idrees (Ziauddin Medical University), Dr Halima Hashmi (Dow Medical College), Dr Yasmin Sabih Kazi (PAVHNA), Dr Rehana Ahmed, Dr Mumtaz Nayani and Dr Yasmin Mosani (private practitioners). They deplored the lack of proper information on the part of medical professionals themselves regarding various modes of contraceptives.

It was observed that most medical graduates and postgraduates were often untrained to administer these modes of contraceptives to their clients needing these. At times they were even unable to guide them on the use of contraceptives.

In the present state of affairs women were unable to seek guidance on avoiding unwanted pregnancies which might even lead to death or seriously impair their health.

Dr Jahanara Paul underscored the need for an energetic as well as pragmatic approach towards the subject directly linked to health care of the people with direct impact on the welfare of society itself.

Suggesting the need to remove the rampant misconceptions and shun unwarranted reluctance about the issue, she said application of contraceptives should be acknowledged as a right of women and proper guidance and counselling should be offered to them.

Dr Rubina Idrees called for application of the same with particular reference to pills, both regular and emergency contraceptive pills, under the supervision of qualified doctors as possible side effects might shatter the confidence of women.

Though there has been a gradual awareness of the issue, lack of training on the part of healthcare providers and the non-availability of the needed pills and other contraceptives, particularly in rural and remote areas, are emerging as major barriers.

Dr Rehana Ahmed referred to measures adopted by the government mentioning that some 70,000 lady health visitors had been trained across the country to guide and help couples.—PPI