PESHAWAR, June 26: Health experts and planners have expressed concern over Pakistan’s lagging behind in achieving millennium development goals (MDGs) related to improving reproductive health.
Sharing findings of a study conducted by Shirkat Gah, its CEO Ms Khawar Mumtaz said that the research study identified gaps in reproductive health care system, hindering achievement of the relevant MDG5.
According to the study, maternal mortality rate still stands at 276/100,000 in the country and the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is almost the same. The number is supposed to drop to 140/100,000 by 2015, but the current scenario shows that the country may not achieve this goal, it said.
In this regard, Shirkat Gah women resource centre, Peshawar, organised a dialogue on ‘improving maternal health in Pakistan – meeting MDG targets’ on Tuesday. Ms Khawar said that keeping in view the situation of current health services there were less chances of raising contraceptive prevalence rate from 56 per cent to 100 per cent.
MNA Bushra Gohar, Asim Ismail of Planning Commission, director curriculum and teachers education Attaullah, FPAP regional director Gohar Zaman, Dr Mohammad Tufail and several civil society activists participated in the dialogue.
The speakers focused on the implementation of MDG-5 to improve mother’s health, as the government aims to decrease maternal deaths by one third and make health facilities accessible to all. However, the participants expressed their dissatisfaction at the health services and demanded improvement of reproductive health services, especially in backward areas of the country.
Dr Tufail said that weak health care system, lack of female staff and limited stock of medicines were among the major barriers toachievement of MDG-5. Mr Zaman said that early marriages affected the reproductive health of young girls.
Mr Ismail stated that that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was spending 85 per cent of developmental budget according to the MDG guidelines.
Mr Attaullah stated that the provincial government had focused on girls’ education, especially in the age group of 5-12 years.
He hinted at including Shirkat Gah recommendations in next syllabus review. He emphasised teachers’ training to create awareness of health issues.
Bushra Gohar said that following devolution of health the role of provincial assembly to properly debate the MDGs had become important.
Mr Iqbal, member provincial standing committee on health, said that it was impossible to achieve the MDG5 in a country where girls were still stopped from going to school.