Experts raise concern over alarming increase in birth rate

Experts stress birth spacing and contraceptive use to tackle Pakistan's rapid population growth and resource limits

LAHORE:

Experts have stated that the birth rate in Pakistan is increasing rapidly, while resources are limited in comparison. There is a lack of access to necessities such as food, housing, education, and health services. To ensure appropriate spacing between childbirths, the use of contraceptive methods is essential.

This will not only reduce maternal mortality during pregnancy and childbirth but also contribute to the development of a healthier society. In Pakistan, 62% of women do not use any method for spacing between births, 10% use modern methods, while 27% rely on traditional methods.

These views were expressed by experts at a seminar held in Lahore on the occasion of World Contraception Day, organized in collaboration with DKT and Express Media Group.

Participants included DKT Pakistan’s Country Director, George Papa Christo, Dr. Masood Khan, Director Public-Private Strategic Partnership, DKT Pakistan, Syed Shakeel Hashmi, Head of Dhanak Health Care Centers, Ammar Kamran, Deputy Senior Manager Partnerships and Alliance, Saman Rai, Director General Punjab Population Welfare Department, Professor Dr. Tayyaba Waseem, Head of Gynecology Department, Services Hospital Lahore, Ms. Aamna Akhshid, General Manager Grants, Punjab Population Innovation Fund, Ms. Hasna Batool, Technical Specialist Family Planning, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Ms. Samina Ashraf, Regional Director Punjab, Family Planning Association Pakistan, Dr. Zubda Riaz, Director Technical Punjab Population Welfare Department, Anjum Rizvi, Director Programs and Operations, Family Planning Association of Pakistan, Batool Zehra, Production Manager DKT, and Editor of Express Forum Ajmal Sattar Malik. Health providers, doctors, and representatives of civil society associated with DKT’s Dhanak Health Centers participated in large numbers.

Speaking at the seminar, DKT Pakistan’s Country Head, George Papa Christo, stated that since 2013, their organization has been providing health services to women, particularly facilities for spacing between childbirths, through Dhanak Health Care Centers. DKT is now launching a project for the repackaging of IUDs in Faisalabad. He emphasized the importance of spacing between births and expressed commitment to enhancing and expanding DKT’s services in Pakistan.

At the beginning of the seminar, Editor of Express Forum, Ajmal Sattar Malik, mentioned that Express Media Group has always endeavored not only to keep its viewers and readers informed about current events but also to organize programs that increase awareness about health issues.

Dr. Masood Khan, Director Public-Private Strategic Partnership DKT, said that Pakistan is the fifth most populous country in the world, with a birth rate of 2.5% annually. A large number of women die during pregnancy and childbirth. Forty percent of children are born with malnutrition and anemia.

He stated that the solution to these issues is to ensure appropriate spacing between childbirths. DKT Pakistan has established 1,500 health care centers under the name Dhanak across the country, providing guidance, facilities, medications, and other products for family planning to women.

The organization has been active in Pakistan for the past 10 years. He also emphasized the need to dispel myths and misconceptions about contraceptive medications and the importance of raising awareness about family planning and contraceptive methods.

Urban women are more reluctant to use long-term contraceptive methods compared to rural women.

Dr. Masood Khan said that DKT has launched a project for the repackaging of IUDs in Faisalabad, and in the coming years, local manufacturing will also begin.

Currently, IUDs are imported from abroad for contraceptive purposes. There are only a few institutions in Pakistan producing contraceptive pills and injectables. Local production needs to be increased.

Professor Dr. Tayyaba Waseem, Head of Gynecology Department, Services Hospital Lahore, said that the root cause of our problems is the increasing population. Pakistan’s fertility rate is over 3.32%. It is the most populous country in South Asia. By 2050, Pakistan will become the fourth most populous country in the world.

She stated that using different methods for birth spacing is not un-Islamic; in fact, Islamic countries like Iran have a contraceptive rate of 82%, and Turkey has 73%. In Pakistan, this rate is only 35%.

Professor Dr. Tayyaba Waseem said that when a woman gives birth every year, she not only suffers from anemia but the newborn also faces the same issue. There should be a minimum gap of three years between births.

Syed Shakeel Hashmi, Head of Dhanak Health Care Centers, said that their goal is not to control the population but to ensure appropriate spacing between births. The maternal mortality rate during pregnancy and childbirth in Pakistan is very high. Additionally, newborns face various diseases and often have stunted growth. Forty percent of children suffer from malnutrition.

He said that since they are aware of the issues and also have the solutions, they can easily address these challenges. This is not just the responsibility of the government; civil society must also play its part. There is a need to dispel misconceptions about family planning. Different methods of family planning are not harmful to women’s health. Since 2018, they have saved 2,200 women from death during childbirth.

Ammar Kamran, Deputy Senior Manager Partnership and Alliance, stated that with the collaboration of DKT and KFW, Dhanak Health Care Centers are being operated across the country, and their number is being increased. Two hundred new centers are being established, providing health facilities close to women’s homes.

Dhanak Centers have also provided employment to thousands of women, empowering them economically. The centers also play a crucial role in training and enhancing the skills of midwives.

DKT’s Production Manager, Batool Zehra, during her presentation, said that 56% of women in Pakistan want to use contraceptive methods for birth spacing, but only 35% of women are using these methods, while 21% do not have access to contraceptives despite their desire. Sixty-two percent of women do not use any contraceptive methods, 10.3% use modern methods, and 27.7% use traditional methods.

She introduced DKT’s contraceptive products and mentioned that two new products have been developed to make contraception even safer.

During the seminar, separate sessions were held on overcoming barriers to adopting contraceptive methods and the need for effective policies to raise awareness about family planning among youth. Both sessions were moderated by Dr. Masood Khan. In the first session, Ms. Saman Rai, Dr. Anjum Rizvi, and Dr. Zubda Riaz expressed their views.

Saman Rai said that lack of education, early marriages, lack of awareness about contraceptive methods, and the desire for a male child are major reasons for the high population growth rate. It is considered normal to have three to four children in our society. The mindset of both men and women needs to change in this regard.

Dr. Anjum Rizvi stated that there is no religious restriction on appropriate spacing between childbirths. Instead, it is recommended that the mother breastfeed the child for at least two years. Misconceptions about different contraceptive methods and medications need to be addressed. Public and private sectors must work together for family planning.

Dr. Zubda Riaz said that urban women are more sensitive about their privacy compared to rural women. They do not share their privacy concerns, which is why they are reluctant to adopt long-term family planning methods. A four-year program has been approved in collaboration with the World Bank, which includes the Department of Health. If the Department of Health provides family planning facilities in its hospitals, dispensaries, and health centers across the province, the rising birth rate can be reduced.

In the second session, Aamna Akhshid, Hasna Batool, and Samina Ashraf emphasized that 60% of Pakistan’s population consists of youth. Awareness programs are conducted in collaboration with education and youth affairs departments, but they often argue that family planning should not be discussed with children as it is a sensitive matter. It is essential to start educating the youth about birth spacing now. Awareness seminars should be held in colleges and universities, and awareness should be provided to women and girls who do not have access to schools and colleges by reaching out to them in their homes.

On this occasion, DKT also set up various stalls for the participants, displaying different contraceptive products.