By Jawaid Ali
Technical Assistance for Capacity Building in Midwifery, Information and Logistics (TACMIL Health Project) organized a dissemination event of “Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2006-07 Provincial Dissemination – Karachi Sindh” recently in Karachi.
Ms. Kay Anske, Consul General of the United States consulate, Karachi and Ms. Humaira Alwani, MPA co-chaired the event Syed Mubashir Ali (Principal Investigator PDHS); Mr. Faateh (NIPS Representative); Dr. Zafarullah Gill (Chief Executive, TACMIL Health Project) & Ghulam Akbar Bhutto Director-General, Provincial Population Welfare Department, addressed the gathering.
Ms. Kay Anske, Consul General, US Consulate Karachi said that as a result of this survey, heath professional will now have access to critical data. This data would be very beneficial to improve health statistic of Pakistan which is the primary goal and is considered by many to be the “gold standard” for household health surveys. The PDHS is of great value because it provides high quality information. It helps to monitor Pakistan progress in achieving the objectives of the initiative of MGDs initiatives and helps to monitor funded projects.
Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey was executed by the National Institute of Population Studies (NIPS), Ministry of Population Welfare. Macro International Inc. provided technical assistance in the design, implementation, and analysis of the survey as part of the Demographic and Health Surveys project (MEASURE DHS). Funding for the survey was provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with logistics assistance from UNFPA and UNICEF.
Highlighting the PDHS, Syed Mubashir Ali said this report summarizes the findings of PDHS 2006-07, talking about the fertility & its determinants he said that fertility in Pakistan has decreased substantially since 1984 according to past surveys. Currently, women in Pakistan have an average of 4.1 children, down from 4.8 in 2000 and 6.0 in 1984.He said knowledge of family planning methods in Pakistan is almost universal; 96 percent of currently married women know at least one modern method of family planning. The most commonly known methods are the pill which is 92 %, injectables 89% and female sterilization 87 %. About two-thirds also know a traditional method of family planning, either rhythm or withdrawal. Family planning clients should be informed about the side effects of the method used.
The 2006-07 PDHS also indicates that 20% of female deaths are attributed to maternal causes. More than one-third of deaths to women age 25-29 were due to maternal causes. Maternal deaths are more common in rural areas than in urban areas In Punjab, only 16 percent of adult women deaths were due to complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the 6 weeks postpartum compared to 35 percent in Balochistan.
Ghulam Akbar Bhutto, Director-General, Provincial Population Welfare Department, Govt. of Sindh said that tracing history of family planning in the country since 1950s, lack of consistency has hampered the efforts for family planning. He appreciated the survey and termed it an eye-opener.
Dr. Zafarullah Gill, Chief Executive of TACMIL Health Project briefing the future planning, suggested to adapt evidence based, high impact activities and program that are sustainable with strategic approaches. The strengthening of health systems to improve child survival program, provide maternal continuum of care and enhanced reproductive health programs should be focused.
In 1990, he said that the vaccinated children of 12-23 months was 50% but it has now reduced to 47 %c, while MDG was 90pc. Infant mortality rate has been reduced from 100% to 78%.
He said, countries like Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand have made significant improvement in maternal health,family planning services and obstetric care.
He suggested for constituting a body to look after health systems and service delivery for addressing problems on continuous basis, focus on accountability & good governance and provide access to service and quality of care.
Earlier, Mr. Fateh in his welcome address said that Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2006-07 (PDHS) was a gigantic task, which was completed by the National Institute of Population Studies (NIPS) with financial support of USAID and technical assistance from the Macro International Inc. The PDHS was carried out as of world wide demographic and health survey program which has been conducted in more than 80 countries and repeated more than once in some countries. In Pakistan PDHS is repeated after almost 16 years. The objectives of this survey is to provide up-to-date information on fertility and its determinants, family planning, childhood mortality, infant and child feeding practices, maternal and child health, maternal mortality, HIV/AIDS-related knowledge & behaviour and malaria.
He further said that the survey also include direct estimation of maternal mortality rate and its causes at national level for the first time in the history of Pakistan. The survey documented information very well and calls for effective action both for health and population programme of the city.
Ms. Humera Alwani, MPA & Chairperson also spoke on the occasion. She said the much needed updated information is now available for policy makers. They can now steer the funds toward addressing the issues highlighted in the survey.
At the end, Mr. Qamar Siddiqui presented the event recommendations suggested by the presenters and participants. The vote of thanks was offered by Ms. Umbreen Salim.