Better child, maternal health

The Pakistan Demographic Health Survey 2017-18 presents an improved state of child and maternal health in the country as compared with 2012-13. However, much needs to be done in nutrition and adoption of family planning methods. Stunting in children resulting from malnutrition requires more focus. More children in Pakistan are now surviving early in their childhood than ever before with under-5 mortality rate declining sharply. Currently, the under-5 mortality is 74 per 1,000 live births, down from 89 in 2012-13. An important reason for this improvement is basic vaccination coverage with two in three children between the ages of 12-23 months receiving all eight basic vaccinations. This is up more than half of children in 2012-13. Basic coverage was lowest in Balochistan (29pc) and highest in Punjab ((80pc), signifying the gulf in both health services and the challenges involved. Reproductive healthcare coverage has also improved with nearly 9 out of every 10 women between the ages of 15-49 receiving antenatal care from skilled healthcare providers. More than half of women have their first antenatal care visit in the first trimester as recommended by the WHO. More babies are being delivered in formal health facilities, up from only 48pc in 2012-123 to 66pc in 2017-18. Pakistan has one of the highest fertility rates in the region with an average 3.6 births per woman. The use of contraceptives has stagnated around 34pc over the last five years.

Stunting remains a big challenge. Although stunting has declined since 2012-13 when 45pc children under five were stunted, 38pc of children are still too short for their age. Obesity among women has increased to 52pc in the age group of 15-49 from 40pc in 2012-13.

The survey was conducted by the National Institute of Population Studies with the cooperation of UNFPA and the UK’s DFID. The results were released in Islamabad on Feb 25.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th, 2019.

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