Improving women’s health: Call to introduce modern birth control medicines

Experts say increasing population one of the biggest issues facing Pakistan.

LAHORE: There is a need to introduce modern birth control medicines as rapidly increasing population is one of the biggest issues being faced by the country, said Greenstar Social Marketing CEO Dr Syed Azizur Rab on Friday.

He was speaking at the three-day South Asian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (SAFOG) conference on ‘Improving Women’s Health – Old Problems, New Remedies’.

The moot is organised every two years in association with the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society, aimed at providing a platform for interaction and exchange of ideas, including health issues faced by both the mother and child.

“Our company has trained 190 doctors who will go door-to-door to convince and motivate couples to use contraceptives,” said Dr Aziz.

SAFOG Organising Committee Chairperson Prof Rubina Sohail said the conference was about collaborative education and competency-based training for the care of women in South Asia. “We not only aim to create a learning environment for young medical practitioners, but also look to share global knowledge while making new friends in the process,” she added.

Around 2,000 delegates from Pakistan and across the world are participating in the event.

Special training sessions will be conducted during the three days for midwives and trainee doctors of obstetrics and gynaecology.

A number of counters have also been set up at the venue to facilitate couples if they have any questions regarding birth control.

International experts are also available to provide counselling.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 18^th, 2017.