PR No.259 Islamabad : March 29, 2016

President Mamnoon Hussain has said that the Government of Pakistan is giving top priority to the health of mother and child and is striving to deliver basic health care facilities to every citizen particularly the people living below the poverty line.

The President said this while addressing the SAARC Mother-Child Care Conference at the Marriot Hotel in Islamabad on Tuesday. President Mamnoon Hussain hoped that the SAARC Mother-Child Care Conference will play a significant role in improving maternal and child health in the region. The President added that some of the problems of this region are of identical nature which will have to be solved collectively.

The President said that the government has chalked out a ten-point action plan in consultation with the provincial governments which incorporates all aspects of mother-child care to help achieve the objectives of sustainable development. President Mamnoon Hussain remarked that this comprehensive action plan will be useful in improving the mother-child health care facilities at the levels of basic health units and district hospitals.

The President stated that the dietary requirements of mother and child, particularly those of baby girls, need to be given focus and this requires an integrated monitoring system and commitment of the political leadership at all levels. President Mamnoon Hussain noted that while there are several useful programs in relation to mother and child health care underway in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan yet there is a need to expand their reach to maximum number of people so that each person in the region becomes a useful citizen of the society.

President Mamnoon Hussain stressed that Pakistan was formulating policies to bring all stake holders on a common platform and undertake measures to reduce the maternal and infant mortality rates. The President reiterated that the Government of Pakistan will give full support in this noble endeavour to help achieve the desired goals.

Mrs. Saira Afzal Tarar, Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination while addressing on the occasion stated that the Government of Pakistan is determined to extend health services to maximum number of mothers and children particularly in the rural areas. The conference is being attended by delegates from SAARC countries.

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