Govt Committed to Enhancing Women’s Healthcare Access: Dr. Mukhtar

Government Committed to Enhancing Healthcare Access for Women: Dr. Mukhtar

QUETTA: Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on National Health Services, has emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to enhancing healthcare access for women, particularly in underserved and marginalized areas of Pakistan. He highlighted the government’s focus on ensuring that every woman receives the healthcare she needs without facing stigma or fear.

Speaking at the launch of the report titled ‘Safeguarding Women’s Health: Trends, Inequities, and Opportunities in Pakistan’s Abortion and Post-Abortion Care Services’, Dr. Mukhtar underscored the critical need for reforms in women’s reproductive health services. The report, produced by the Population Council in partnership with the Guttmacher Institute, revealed concerning statistics about maternal health in Pakistan, particularly focusing on abortion and post-abortion care services.

With maternal mortality rates standing at 186 deaths per 100,000 live births, the research highlights the urgent need for improvements in reproductive healthcare. Dr. Mukhtar reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing these issues by investing in healthcare infrastructure, strengthening emergency response capabilities, and improving access to family planning services.

Government Plans for Reform

“The government is committed to implementing the recommendations of this report,” Dr. Mukhtar announced. These include investments in infrastructure, capacity building, and creating a more effective referral system to improve reproductive healthcare across the country.

Dr. Zeba Sathar, Country Director of the Population Council, echoed these sentiments, noting the importance of ensuring women have access to safe family planning services and reproductive healthcare. “While Pakistan has made strides in improving healthcare, there’s still significant work to be done in empowering women to make informed choices about their reproductive health,” she said.

Global Support for Women’s Health Initiatives

International support for women’s health in Pakistan was also highlighted during the event. Thomas Dahl, Deputy Head of Mission at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Islamabad, voiced Norway’s backing for the initiative. “This issue impacts not just women’s health but the well-being and development of society as a whole. Norway is proud to support efforts that improve access to reproductive health services in Pakistan.”

Expert Panel Discussion

An expert panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Luay Shabaneh, Country Representative of UNFPA, delved into the challenges women face in accessing reproductive healthcare. The panel featured notable healthcare professionals, including:

• Prof. Dr. Azra Ahsan, President of the Association for Mothers and Newborns (AMAN)
• Dr. Yasmeen Sabeeh Qazi, CEO of QZ Catalyst
• Prof. Naila Israr, former Executive Director of FG Polyclinic Islamabad
• Prof. Dr. Ghazala Mahmud, Patron in Chief of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Pakistan (SOGP), Islamabad.

The panel discussed the barriers to reproductive healthcare, including the stigma surrounding abortion, and emphasized the need for healthcare reform, education, and policy advocacy to ensure women across Pakistan have access to the services they need.

Women’s Empowerment and Healthcare Access

Dr. Sathar emphasized that empowering women through better healthcare and family planning services is essential to achieving broader societal and economic goals. Access to safe reproductive healthcare is key to creating a more equitable society, she said, stressing the need for continued efforts to remove barriers and expand services to all women, especially in underserved regions.

The government’s focus on improving healthcare access for women aligns with global efforts to promote gender equality and improve health outcomes for women and children.

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