Assalamoalaikum.
After 60+ years of independence, women still die in pregnancy and childbirth in Pakistan, in large numbers. Unlike our neighboring countries, we have done very little to save their lives. The result is that, in terms of maternal and neonatal health indicators, we are behind all of our neighboring countries (perhaps with the exception of Afghanistan).
Pakistan is one of the few countries that have received enormous foreign aid, in the form of grants and soft loans amounting to over 20 billion US dollars over the last three decades. The Government, too, has allocated significant amounts to programs directly or indirectly related with safe motherhood.
Yet it seems there has been no impact of all this money pouring in. Women are still dying during pregnancy and childbirth, in large numbers.
What should be done is clearly known, and it is being done to some extent and for a number of years. Yet it seems there has been very little improvement in maternal and neonatal health indicators over the last two decades.
What is wrong, and where?
Farid Midhet
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
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