Islamabad
The health experts on Monday discussed importance of a strong, collective approach towards balanced population growth, stressing the need for collaboration between healthcare providers, government bodies, and communities.
The experts gave these remarks at an event hosted by the Population Council (PC). According to them, this transformative approach, designed to address the nation’s population growth challenges, aims to create a unified national strategy for family planning and population management by emphasizing the need for balance between family size and resources.
Ali Mazhar, Director of Communication PC highlighted the Tawazun narrative as a key strategy to address Pakistan’s population challenges. Ali’s presentation elaborated on the narrative’s alignment with the nation’s development goals and its focus on responsible parenthood, universal access to family planning services, and sustainable population growth.
Dr. Saima Zubair, Senior Vice President (Women’s Health), Pakistan Academy of Family Physicians – Doctorscon, and Secretary Information, Islamabad Rawalpindi SOGP Chapter, delivered a comprehensive presentation on women’s health and the vital role of family physicians in promoting balanced population growth through family planning and birth spacing.
Following the presentations, participants engaged in group discussions on three thematic areas like use of contraceptives – Led by Prof. Ghazala Mahmud, Patron Pakistan PCOS, Adolescent & Reproductive Health Society (PRAHPS), the discussion centered on improving the uptake of contraceptives by addressing the social and cultural dimensions of unmet needs.
Birth Spacing – Moderated by Prof. Syeda Batool Mazhar, Patron ISB RWP Chapter of the Society of Obstetricians & Gynecologists of Pakistan (SOGP), this discussion focused on birth spacing as a key strategy for improving maternal and child health outcomes.
Psychosomatic effects led by Prof. Ashraf Nizami, President, Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Lahore, this group delved into the psychosomatic effects of family planning and the importance of addressing these concerns within communities to promote wider acceptance of family planning practices.
Participants of the meeting unanimously agreed that “resources” extend beyond financial aspects to include the health and well-being of the mother. Frequent pregnancies deplete a mother’s strength and nutritional status, affecting her well-being and the care she can provide for her children. Repeated pregnancies not only strain a mother’s health but also compromise critical resources like time for proper child-rearing and breastfeeding. Large family sizes can lead to parental neglect, diluting the quality of upbringing. Moreover, children’s health is at risk, with premature births and low birth weight more likely when pregnancies are frequent. Balancing family size with available resources is essential for responsible parenthood. Healthcare providers play a vital role in reminding parents of this responsibility, emphasizing that balanced family planning leads to healthier, happier families and contributes to national prosperity.
The consultative meeting concluded with participants signing a pledge board, affirming their commitment to promoting the Tawazun narrative within their respective communities and organizations. The collective pledge symbolizes a nationwide movement toward balanced population growth, responsible parenthood, and sustainable development.
