Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Malik, Coordinator to the PM, MoNHSR&C, was the chief guest at the ceremony of World Contraception Day and signing LOU for Poocho health helpline, between Department of Health ICT and GreenStar Social Marketing. While addressing the ceremony, he highlighted the issue of fast growing population in the country. He said ss per Population & Housing Census 2017, the population of Pakistan was 207.8 million, growing at an intercensal growth rate of 2.4% per annum. According to the Population and Housing Census 2023, the total population of Pakistan was 241.499 million in 2023. In the country’s first census in 1951, the enumerated population was 33.74 million. In fact, Pakistan’s population has increased more than seven times since 1951. At present, Pakistan is the 5th most populous country in the world, with population growth @ 2.55% per annum. Pakistan’s population is projected to reach 263 million by 2030 and 383 million by 2050. He highlight the importance and role of Population Planning (Family Planning) for national development, economic stability, and health outcomes, especially in maternal and child health. Family Planning reduces maternal and newborn mortality by preventing unintended pregnancies and spacing births, directly benefiting MNCH outcomes. Prioritizing family planning is crucial for achieving global health goals and empowering women with reproductive choices. He shared that the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination has revised the existing National Action Plan on Population (2019-24) in consultation with provinces, regions and other stakeholders. The revised National Action Plan on Population (2025-30) aims to achieve the targets: to increase contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) to 60% in 2030; to reduce total fertility rate (TFR) to 2.2 in 2030; and to reduce population growth rate (PGR) to 1.1% in 2030. He appreciated the role of Community Health Workers in Contraception Awareness. Community Health Workers (CHWs) are the backbone of contraceptive awareness and family planning services, particularly in underserved and rural areas. Their close community engagement allows them to dispel myths, answer questions, and provide information about the importance of contraception in maintaining reproductive health. Through counseling and home visits, CHWs ensure access to contraceptives, referrals to clinics, and continuous follow-ups, empowering women to make informed reproductive choices. Strengthening the capacity of CHWs is essential to increase awareness, improve family planning uptake, and promote MNCH services. While talking on the importance of Poocho Health Helpline to improve SRH Services Access, he said that Poocho Health Helpline provides confidential, reliable information on sexual and reproductive health (SRH), family planning, and maternal health services, ensuring anonymity and reducing barriers. It serves as a lifeline for women, particularly in areas where face-to-face access to healthcare providers is limited, enabling timely counseling and guidance on contraception. The helpline can refer callers to the nearest service providers, facilitating easy access to contraceptives and reproductive health services, including MNCH resources.
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