Experts stress effective family planning
The Sindh government plans to hold a three-day ‘health and nutrition festival’ in Tharparkar to create awareness about vaccinations, family planning and malnutrition. PHOTO: FILE
Policymakers, donors, civil society organisations, and senior government officials Wednesday stressed the need for enhancing the efficacy of family planning expenditures to achieve national goals.
They were speaking at an event organised by the Population Council with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
"Allocating adequate funds for family planning services has long been recognised as a challenge. However, optimising the efficacy of these resources presents an even greater hurdle," stated Ministry of Planning and Development Social Sector Member Rafiullah Kakar while addressing the National Dissemination Event of the Family Planning Spending Assessment Survey (FPSA) 2022-23.
He said the FPSA serves as a compass, directing our fiscal policies towards a more comprehensive and impactful family planning strategy.
Kakar also laid out four main areas in which the federal government can play its role.
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The areas include setting goals and targets with strategic vision in light of international commitments, revising fiscal framework, acting as a thought leader, and establishing a proper system of monitoring and data collection.
In her welcome remarks, Population Council Country Director Dr Zeba Sathar highlighted the organisation's commitment to conducting FPSAs since 2018.
By collecting data from various sources, including public sector organisations, NGOs, SMOs, and UN organisations, the survey provides valuable insights into budget allocations, spending trends, and fund distribution across various categories of family planning programmes.
Dr Sathar emphasised that the survey's findings can guide effective resource allocation, planning, budgeting, monitoring, and evaluation. “This ensures accountability and the adequate allocation of financial resources for family planning programmes, ultimately leading to improved reproductive health outcomes.
Key findings of the survey suggest the need for structural reforms to enhance effectiveness and strategic financing to ensure service delivery to the users who are in need. The Survey also shows a 82 % Increase in the total family planning spending since 2018 and 16% increase against financial year 2021-22.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 21st, 2023.