only be provided by training paramedics and nurses,” the speakers viewed.
The experts showed concern about deaths related to breast cancer and gynecological cancers. They said there was a need to evolve a national programme for the screening of breast cancer in general population.
“No woman should suffer with cancer which are treatable or preventable. We think all girls should receive the vaccination against cervical cancer during school days,” they said.
The speakers pointed out that maternal morbidity was a serious issue in Pakistan. “Genital tract fistula, long-term reproductive disability and psychiatric disorders because of pregnancy were the known cause that could be prevented by good education at medical colleges and quality training in hospitals.”
“Unfortunately our policy makers are not giving enough attention to quality medical education and professional training after graduation,” they added.
They stressed the need for strengthening medical education system through massive investment in training programmes.
“We hope our government at the federal and provincial level will address the issues related to women health in Pakistan. We also should work to strengthen the basic health care facilities to every woman in our country.”
Responding to a question by The News, Dr Syed said people who claim that girls in Pakistan could be married at the age of 13 since they reach puberty were ill informed because they were not aware that physiological changes were still going on in them.
To another question by The News, he said “safe abortion’ should be allowed to save the life of a woman.
Dr Dina Khan said early marriages not only lead to physiological changes but also deprive young women of education. She said the minimum age at which a girl should be married is 18.
Dr Riffat Jan said while a poor country like Nepal has achieved millennium development goals (MDGs) because it focused on midwifery training, Pakistan has failed to achieve the goal because of ill planned policies.
To another question, Dr Sajjad Siddiqui said fistula was essentially a resultant of childhood marriage and it was shameful that the government was doing nothing to contain it.
To another question by The News, Dr. Syed said rape of a child causes severe complications and the girl becomes afraid of men. He went on to say that he was treating some victims of childhood rape. “Childhood rape is not uncommon in Pakistan,” he added.