Independent Report.
Karachi/Quetta, Oct. 30. Elected parliamentarians and health officials from Sindh and Balochistan have expressed concern over the high maternal mortality rate in rural areas of both provinces. They stressed the need to raise public awareness and ensure accessible, quality healthcare services for women.
Sindh’s Provincial Health Minister, Dr. Azra Pechuho, emphasized the government’s commitment to improving women’s access to healthcare facilities. “We are working tirelessly with the Population Welfare Department to provide comprehensive health services, including reproductive health, to remote areas of the province,” she said.
In Sindh, significant disparities persist in reproductive, maternal, and child health services, with rural women facing barriers in accessing quality healthcare ¹. The province lags behind other regions in Pakistan in terms of maternal health outcomes, with higher pregnancy-related deaths and maternal mortality rates.
Low Contraceptive Use_: Only 31% of married women in Sindh use contraception, with limited access to modern contraceptives.
– _Rural Healthcare Infrastructure_: Health facilities in rural areas lack trained staff, medicines, and equipment.
– _Social Barriers_: Women face restrictions in accessing healthcare due to social norms and cost.
To address these challenges, the provincial governments of Sindh and Balochistan are working to strengthen healthcare systems, improve access to quality services, and promote public awareness.
Secretary Population Department, Government of Balochistan, Abdullah Khan, and Director General Health Services Balochistan, Dr. Amin Khan Mandokhail, highlighted the provincial government’s priorities and proposed measures to enhance healthcare services in Balochistan.
By prioritizing maternal health and working together, lawmakers and health officials aim to reduce mortality rates and ensure better healthcare outcomes for women in Sindh and Balochistan.
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