Ministry of Population Welfare (MoPW) in collaboration with Population Welfare Department Sindh, Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) and Pakistan German Business Forum organized a ‘Seminar on Population & Development for Population Partners’ recently at a local hotel in Karachi.
Prof. Umar Farooq, Pro -Vice Chancellor, Dow University of Health Sciences and Principle Sindh Medical College speaking as the Chief Guest on the occasion stressed upon creating awareness through health education about population related issues in the country. He said that governmental efforts need support and cooperation of private sector in implementation of population welfare programme activities at the grass roots level. There is an unequal distribution of resources in the country as a result of it, a majority of people are striving hard for basic necessities of life. He stressed upon PPSOs to provide attainable, affordable and quality Family Planning /Reproductive Health services to the masses, so that their family size becomes proportionate with their income and they may also lead a dignified life.
Prof. Dr. Umar Farooq offered that staff, medical students and volunteers of Dow University of Health Sciences will be available to serve at the community level to create awareness and provide services.
Capt. (R) Dr. Sikandar Ali Panhwar, Director General, Population Welfare Department, Sindh in his address said that MDG goals could be achieved only by 2015 if collaboration with different segments of the society especially industrial concerns and entrepreneurs is ensured. The DG informed that the PWD Sindh appreciates the efforts of KCCI in the field of RH/FP and this bond of partnership between public and private sector should be strengthened to bring visible improvement in the lives of people.
Dr. Azmat Waseem, Additional Secretary (Medical), PWD, Sindh gave a presentation about progress of PPSO Project in Sindh Province. She said that the project activities which were started in 2006 and with in a short span of few years it has established 38 PPSO Centres in various organizations including Social Security Hospital, PIA, Sindh Police, Pak Air Force and Navy and 24 Homeopath doctors have also signed MoUs for mutual cooperation in RH/FP.
Abdul Majeed Haji, President KCCI in his address appreciated the efforts of MoPW and PWD Sindh for providing an opportunity to its members and business community for participation in national efforts aimed at bringing improvement in the lives of fellow countrymen through provision of quality FP/RH services under PPSO Project. He highlighted the importance of an effective partnership between private and public sector to lower the fertility rates as rapid increase in population is casting a negative impact on health, education, employment and infrastructure development. He said that at present a large proportion of Pakistanis are living below poverty line and it is the responsibility of every citizen in the country to help government in its efforts to reduce high population growth rate.
Abdul Majeed proposed that Population & Development as a subject should be introduced at college/university level and youth to be employed as volunteers to create awareness about the issue. He said that KCCI Health Committee has already initiated several activities to achieve the goal of population stabilization and its efforts have resulted in signing of 200 MoUs in this regard. KCCI president informed the participants that in recognition of its various welfare activities, KCCI has been bestowed with Honour Award by the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Saif-ud-Din. N. Zoomkawala, President, Pak- German Business Forum highlighted the importance of partnership between public and private sector institutions which he termed as crucial to meet the challenges at the socio-economic front. He said that the existing bond of mutual cooperation should be further strengthened and uplift schemes related to population, education and health sector should be given priority in the developmental agenda.
He expressed his satisfaction over the functioning of PPSO Project and assured full cooperation through all EFU companies and Pak German Business Forum in propagating the cause of small family norms.
Mian Moazzam Shah, Director General, PPSO Project, MoPW, Islamabad termed unchecked population growth rate in the country as a threat to humanity and national integrity. He said that according to statistics, approximately 30,000 mothers and 48,000 children die each year due to unwanted pregnancies and related preventable causes as majority of the women are attended by unskilled birth attendants. He said that MoPW has recently made a paradigm shift in its policy by stressing that there should be a minimum interval of two years between each pregnancy. He said that emphasis is laid upon birth spacing, keeping in view the socio cultural norms of the society and for this purpose active and effective cooperation from private sector is needed as government alone cannot solve the problem. While highlighting the achievements under PPSO project, the DG PPSO disclosed that under the project, 470 centres have been established in one year and it is envisaged that the number will be increased to 20,000 in near future through collaboration of private sector. He said that under the PPSO project, MoPW will provide training to doctors and paramedics of private sectors enterprises and will also provide commodities including contraceptives and IEC material by offering 12 packages for implementation. On the other hand, partner organizations will provide space to establish outlets and identify manpower for training. He said that until now 470 MoUs have been signed with various organizations and 59 more are in pipe line. He said that KCCI is the biggest Chamber of Commerce in the country and their support for a productive and practical partnership in future is crucial for project activities in Karachi and beyond.
Dr. Aziz Khan, Former President, Pakistan Medical Association, Karachi in his speech said that PMA was cooperating with Population Welfare Department since 1973. MoPW while expanding the scope of activities under PPSO project should also involve a large network of about 1,30,000 doctors among whom 1,05,000 are general medical practitioners. He stressed upon highlighting the population and development issues through print and electronic media in an effective manner so that masses get sensitized about it. He offered the services of PMA members and College of Family Medicine volunteers in extending activities in the rural areas of the province.
Member Managing Committee and Chairperson Women Enterpreneurs Sub-Committee (2009) Ms.Dure Shahwar Nisar in her address highlighted the importance of bringing women in the main stream of development by providing them better health, education and employment opportunities. She emphasized that under PPSO project, health committees should be formulated and made functional to provide FP/RH services in rural areas of the province.
Dr. Islam Hameed, Convener, Health & Population, PPSO Project, MoPW, gave a background introduction of his association with the project activities which were initiated five years back. He said that due to the keen interest of all the partners especially office bearers and members of KCCI the activities gained momentum and the project has successfully organized seminars in different parts of the country including Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Abbottabad and Hub. Through these activities a large number of industrial sector entities and business concerns have been involved in dispensation of quality FP/RH services.
Ehsan-ul-Haq, Deputy Director, PPSO gave a detailed presentation about demographic situation in the country and the negative effect of high population growth rate on different socio economic & developmental schemes.
The sensitive issue of Islam and Family Planning was discussed threadbare by Prof. Shahnaz Ghazi of Karachi University. She elaborated that by discussing various issues including FP/RH in the light of teaching of Islam, we can remove certain misconceptions related to it. Methods like uzal and breast feeding for two years should be promoted for birth spacing. She said that due to repeated child bearing and rearing by women, a majority of them suffer from anemia and malnutrition and these poor souls are also deprived of proper medical care and attention which further compound their miseries. Prof. Shahnaz emphasized that birth spacing can help in saving lives of millions of women and children and can bring improvement in their health status also.
At the end of the seminar, commemorative shields were awarded to the Chief Guest Prof. Dr. Umar Farooq, Abdul Majeed Haji, President Karachi Chamber of Commerce Industry, Mian Moazzam Shah, Director General, PPSO Project, MoPW, Islamabad and Capt. ® Dr. Sikandar Ali Panhwar, Director General, Population Welfare Department, Sindh, Karachi.