Pakistan records a maternal death every 45 minutes, summit told

KARACHI: Pakistan loses one woman to pregnancy-related complications every 45 minutes, participants at the 4th International Family Planning Summit in Karachi were told, as health and education officials called for wider access to maternal care and stronger awareness of reproductive health.

Speaking at the event, Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho said the provincial government was trying to expand safe maternity services closer to communities. She said old dispensaries were being turned into birthing stations, while community midwives were being trained to provide safe deliveries at home.

At the summit, Professor Dr Nighat Shah said Pakistan's population was growing by roughly six million people each year. She said contraceptive use stood at 34%, while 17.8% of family planning needs remained unmet.

Minister for Universities and Boards Ismail Rahoo said higher education institutions should do more than confer degrees and must also promote awareness of reproductive health, responsible decision-making and health consciousness among young people. Jinnah Sindh Medical University Vice Chancellor Amjad Siraj Memon also urged greater attention to male contraceptive methods, saying vasectomy was an important option and that awareness and hospital availability needed to improve.