Lawmakers want LHVs, paramedics to stop delivery surgeries

The bill was introduced by Zahra Wadood Fatemi and Naseem Kishwer Khan

ISLAMABAD: A private member bill has been introduced in the National Assembly which makes it mandatory for the government to ensure birthing centres and hospital maternity services for women at the basic health unit level and prohibit Lady Health Visitors and paramedical staff to perform surgeries during delivery.

The bill, the ‘Islamabad Birthing Centre and Hospital Maternity Services Act 2017’, was introduced by Zahra Wadood Fatemi and Naseem Kishwer Khan. It aims to ensure the protection of pregnant women and children from maltreatment by LHVs and paramedical staff during delivery of a child.

The bill proposes that the government establish, maintain or declare birthing and maternity services centres sufficiently equipped to provide delivery and maternity services to all women. The bill was referred to the standing committee for further discussion and deliberations.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17^th, 2017.