Family planning: Contraceptive supply and transport streamlined

ICT to revise system after district welfare department devolution.

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration will be streamlining the transport and supply of male and female contraceptives to delivery service centres.

This was decided during a meeting chaired by Islamabad Chief Commissioner Tariq Mahmood Pirzada here on Wednesday. Population and Women Development Director Dr Farah Mufti and District Population Welfare Officer (DPWO) Dr M Azhar were also present.

According to the officials, prior to the district population welfare department’s devolution, quarterly contraceptives were being sent to the concerned quarters separately. It has now been decided that the DPWO and the District Health Officer (DHO) will send their requisitions in a consolidated form. The automation and computerisation of the District Health Office and Population Welfare Office was also discussed which will further help streamline the system.

Officials also announced a capacity-building programme oriented towards doctors for the improvement of family planning services and mother/child healthcare. Easy and safe accessibility of contraceptives was also assured.

A committee headed by the ICT Development and Finance Director will be formed to monitor the smooth supply and transport of contraceptives to health outlets. Pirzada directed officials to involve NGOs working in healthcare to help make family planning and mother/child health care more effective, so that the burden on government resources can be reduced.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2012.