Govt plans reducing maternal, infant mortality rate: Ejaz
By Mona Khan

ISLAMABAD—Minister for Health Ejaz Raheem on Tuesday said the government is committed to reduce rate of maternal and infant mortality by promoting the concept of family planning.
Family planning increases intervals between children is one of the most effective ways of reducing maternal mortality rate, the minister said while addressing the launching ceremony of USAID funded FALAH project (Family Advancement for Life and Health).
He said increasing contraceptive uptake and lowering the unmet need for family planning is an important objective of the Ministry.He said the Ministry is playing a leadership role through the National Program for Family planning and Primary Health Care.
He said the success in attaining population stabilization and population welfare policy depend on forging close collaboration and coordination of all stakeholders including federal and provincial governments, local governments, civil society and the private sectors.
He said government is cognizant of the fact that population growth rate is a national issue that has the potential to distort the development of all social sectors and compromising the thrust of poverty alleviation strategies.
He added the government is encouraging partnerships between all related sectors to achieve ultimate aim of providing decent standard of living to citizens.
Ejaz Raheem said evidence has shown that people are concerned about the possible side effects of contraceptives and due to this fear they are either not using contraceptives, resulting in an unmet need for family planning.
He said that births taking place within short intervals are associated with multiple adverse outcomes for mothers and newborns, adding, women who become pregnant too soon after a previous birth, miscarriage or abortion place themselves at a higher risk of health complications or even death.