LAHORE
Adviser to Chief Minister Punjab on Health Kh. Salman Rafique has said a balance between population growth and resources is inevitable to overcome the health issues and to make rapid economic development. He said population explosion creates problems relating to mother and child health. He said there is a need to struggle jointly by all the stakeholders including Health Department, Population welfare and NGOs through a consolidated strategy.
He stated this while addressing a two-day seminar on Improving Family Planning Services with a new approach and consolidated strategy organised by the Policy and Strategic Planning Unit (PSPU) Health Department Punjab at a local hotel on Wednesday.
The experts presented the performance reports of District Technical Committees, provision of contraceptives, family planning services at grassroots level. They also analysed the acceptance and popularity of family planning programme among married couples. They presented a data collected during different studies. The participants discussed in detail about the family planning facilities at primary and secondary level health facilities and extending its sphere to the teaching hospitals as well as to evolve a strategy for its awareness and popularity among the masses.
Khawaja Salman further said rapid increase in population growth in an underdeveloped country like Pakistan is a big issue which has been solved by various countries of this region. He urged that all stakeholders of the society including ulema, politicians, civil society and government departments should be taken on board to create awareness at mass level. He said Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has taken personal interest in introducing Health Sector Reforms and a visible improvement can be seen in the health indicators including EPI coverage, availability of medicines, presence of doctors at BHUs, RHC, DHQ, and THQ hospitals. He said 700 BHUs are providing labour room facilities round-the-clock but still there is a need of hard-work with full dedication. He suggested that women MPAs should be included in the District Committee constituted for this purpose.
