Newborns survival

For decades, Pakistan has ranked among the countries with the highest maternal mortality rate. To address this, the federal government has finally expressed plans to launch the Newborns Survival Strategy (2022-2027) in all four provinces. The initiative aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality across the country as well as determine the causes of the high mortality rates. Given that nearly 610,000 pregnant women in flood-hit areas find themselves in a vulnerable position, the initiative is well-timed. Although the health department has sent out hygiene kits along with other medical supplies to ensure safe deliveries of pregnant women in these areas, both mothers and infants will require long-term support.

The overarching reasons for high maternal and infant mortality are abject poverty and high illiteracy. Reproductive-aged women lack knowledge and access to proper nutrition due to which they are undernourished or anaemic and deliver preterm or low-birthweight babies. The absence of widespread healthcare support has further augmented the problem. Considering that the new initiative gives provinces the liberty to draw their own strategies, provincial healthcare departments should identify region-related issues and draw tailored plans to reduce mortality rates.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the strategy is already underway as facilities have been established in Swat, Charsadda and Tank to provide pre and post-natal care to 26,247 registered pregnant women in flood-stricken areas. Staffers have also been deployed to extend medical assistance to pregnant women across the province. Other provinces should closely follow the progress in K-P and integrate the strengths into their plans as well. Both federal and provincial governments must undertake the task in earnest to ensure success of the initiative. For long-term stability, healthcare facilities should be made more accessible along with emphasising on the importance of regular medical consultations.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 2^nd, 2022.

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