Healthcare: Curriculum for LHWs, midwives to be revised

The resolution is expected to improve the condition of female healthcare in K-P.

PESHAWAR:

The curriculum for training lady health workers (LHW) and community midwives will be revised by the health department. The revision will bring it in line with a resolution passed by the K-P Assembly recently on adolescent girls’ and women’s health.

The decision has also been supported by female representatives of the provincial assembly who believe that the resolution cannot be followed through unless these workers are properly educated.

“Since the assembly has passed the resolution we will see it and definitely revise the curriculum according to it,” said Special Secretary Health Dr Akbar Khan adding that it is important for these workers to have proper training since they visit women at their homes to increase awareness on health matters.



Akbar also said that they still haven’t received a copy of the resolution and the process of updating the curriculum would only begin when they do.

Lawmaker Uzma Khan pointed out that women in the province not only need treatment but need to know about health complications in their body from someone who understands and can talk to them about it.

“Health issues in women and adolescent girls are serious concerns which should have been addressed a long time ago but were ignored by all stakeholders, but this resolution is a very positive step,” she said.



Uzma added that the curriculum will strengthen capacity building of female health workers who are the only source of information for many women in the province. She said that better awareness in women can also decrease the maternal mortality rate.

The K-P Assembly passed a resolution regarding Sexual and Reproductive Health and Maternal and Neonatal Health by the support of 16 female lawmakers on Friday. No objections were made by their male counterparts.

The resolution is yet to be sent to relevant departments including health, communication and works and planning and development.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21^st, 2013.