Joint efforts needed on family planning services

LAHORE: Special Adviser to CM on Population Saira Afzal Tarar said that family planning is not just a health issue; it is a development imperative. She urged civil society, healthcare providers and policymakers to join hands in scaling up the proven solution of engaging family physicians to deliver family planning services for a prosperous Punjab.

Saira Afzal Tarar expressed these views at the launch of the initiative upscaling the sustainable model for ‘Engaging Family Physicians to Deliver Family Planning’ services in Punjab on Wednesday. The event was organised by the Population Council in collaboration with the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Punjab and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The event showcased a transformative approach to addressing Punjab’s family planning needs. With around 130 million population, Punjab’s population growth rate of 2.53% and a stagnant fertility rate of 3.4 births per woman over the last decade highlight an urgent need for action. The contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) remains low at 41%, leaving significant unmet need of 15.8%. Saira Afzal said being most populated province of the country, Punjab cannot afford to overlook its demographic challenges. “It is need of the hour for all stakeholders to prioritise family planning as a cornerstone of sustainable development,” she added.

She commended the Population Council’s decades-long contributions to advancing reproductive health and fostering collaboration between stakeholders. “Under the Chief Minister’s leadership, the provincial government is fully committed to tackling these challenges head-on and ensuring equitable access to healthcare and family planning services for all,” she affirmed. Population Council President Dr Rana Hajjeh celebrated the innovative model, which engages private-sector family physicians and pharmacists and incorporates globally recognised high-impact practices such as male-to-male counseling. “Together with the government, we are working to create a brighter future for Pakistan’s people by improving reproductive healthcare services and addressing demographic challenges,” she stated.

Population Council Country Director Dr Zeba Sathar highlighted the vital role of family physicians in delivering family planning services. Citing findings from the 2023 census that reveal an alarming rise in population growth, she stated, “The substantial unmet need for family planning services demands innovative models and approaches. It is imperative for the government to take ownership of these solutions to effectively address the needs of the largest province in the country.” She also cited the latest data on abortion in Punjab, revealing that 68 out of every 1,000 women of reproductive age in the province undergo an abortion each year. Health Secretary Nadia Saqib reinforced the government’s commitment to a multi-pronged approach to population management.