KARACHI: Health experts have called for reactivation of several population welfare centers rendered almost dormant in different parts of Karachi.
Talking to APP Wednesday, the seasoned professionals said authorities need not only to focus towards public education about safe and risk free family sizing but also ensure proper and regular functioning of many of the relevant facilities established in less
developed and semi urban areas of the metropolis.
Dr Shahina Aleem said it was high time that authorities review the progress made under Plan 2020 and ensure uninterrupted interventions to protect reproductive health rights of the citizens.
Reiterating that there was need for meaningful coordination between population welfare and health department, the senior professional said private sector can also not be absolved of its responsibilities.
"Slums and under developed areas have to be urgently and particularly focused as presently most of them have turned into easy prey for fake professionals with no or little capacity to meet needs of people," said Aleem.
Dr Aisha Kaleem supplementing her colleague said issue is easy accessibility of target population to quality and safe services.
She in this context also referred to reported instances of infections and associated complications often leading to morbidity among many of the women.
"Since there exist no registry hence can neither ascertain the number of deaths nor mention the exact number of women rendered to serious health conditions due to infection," she added.
The two doctors said a comprehensive approach was needed to meet the Plan 2020 targets paving way for safe and risk free healthcare services for people falling in reproductive age group.
"We have to understand that reproductive health does not simply revolve around pregnancy and child birth but encompasses total well being of people exposed to hormonal changes with direct impact on their psychological, emotional and physical well being," emphasized Dr. Aisha.
Urging the authorities to develop a strategy that may also be culture sensitive, she reiterated that fast expanding Karachi with sizable number of slums needs an efficient policy to address the issue of limited resources of the inhabitants.
She agreed that public confidence must be enhanced on the capacities of Lady Health Workers, the first line of service providers for the masses.
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