KARACHI: Experts at a conference held on Tuesday highlighted the urgency needed for tackling Pakistan’s burgeoning population, emphasising that family planning could ignite a cycle of prosperity in the country.

The conference on family planning was organised at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC).

In his keynote speech, Dr Zulfiqar Bhutta, Robert Hardin Inaugural Chair in Global Child Health at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, pointed out that only 25 percent to 35pc of Pakistani population was utilising modern contraceptive methods that brought about a significant difference in lower to middle-income countries.

“Basically most people are using condoms and other traditional methods that are not so effective,” he said, adding that modern contraceptive methods such as implants and injections accounted for only about seven to eight per cent.

Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) Vice Chancellor Prof Amjad Siraj Memon underscored the need for educating men and advocated for vasectomies as a solution.

He urged the government to collaborate for effective family planning programmes and create awareness on the subject at an early stage of education.

Dr Anita Zaidi, President of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Gender Equality Division, spoke about the transformative potential of access to family planning and said that access to family planning could initiate a cycle of prosperity.

“Healthier women and children would lead to healthier families. Every woman and girl is worthy of opportunity, dignity and health. Women must be trusted to make decisions about their health and their whole futures,” she said.

Bolan Medical University VC Dr Shabbir Lehri lamented missed opportunities, saying, “We could not turn our population into our strength like China has done.:

Dr Rubina Sohail, senior professor at the Institute of Medical Sciences, emphasised the importance of reaching the right populations, stating, “The rural population is our most important segment, followed by people living in urban slums, and the third and equally important segment is the city population. We need to make use of our underutilized areas to reach the urban population.”

Dr Tabinda Sarosh, president of Pathfinder International South Asia, acknowledged the dedication of frontline health providers and shared how they could help bring about the much needed change.

“They are a big part of the change that we wish to bring. It was amazing to see that Pakistan is now poised to integrate digital technology in all the work we do. Digital innovations are another key linkage that can transcend the barriers of mobility of women and reach them in their houses,” she added.

Dr Nighat Shah, senior gynaecologist and host, expressed optimism about increased collaboration among stakeholders and government institutions, stating that the momentum was being set for increased collaboration.

Renowned obstetricians Dr Shershah and Dr Shaheen Zafar, along with Sameen Rai, director-general of Punjab population welfare department, shared valuable insights during the conference.

It also featured panel discussions with NGO representatives and policy speakers from organisations including Pathfinder International, UNFPA, WHO and Marie Stopes Society.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2024