Karachi
“It is imperative that health facilities nationwide integrate contraceptive and post-abortion care services. Lack of counseling is a major contributor to unsafe abortions, so it’s essential to educate people about contraceptive options and make them widely accessible,” stated Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Minister for Health and Population Welfare, Sindh. Dr. Pechuho was speaking at the Karachi launch of the Population Council and Guttmacher Institute’s report, “Safeguarding Women’s Health: Trends, Inequities, and Opportunities in Pakistan’s Abortion and Post-Abortion Care Services.”
Dr. Pechuho highlighted the need to significantly increase the number of community health workers, underscoring how this shortage affects the quality and reach of healthcare. She also raised concerns about the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, suggesting that it should better incentivize health and population welfare improvements by rewarding provinces with strong health indicators with legislative representation.
Dr. Pechuho further noted that Pakistan’s policies on linking abortion with maternal health need alignment with World Health Organization guidelines to enhance the quality of care. “Rising maternal mortality due to unsafe abortions is a pressing issue, and accessible, safe reproductive healthcare must be a priority,” she added. The event presented findings from the Population Council’s national study, which highlights critical gaps in Pakistan’s reproductive healthcare. The study estimates that in 2023, 66 per 1,000 women of reproductive age (15-49) had an induced abortion. Of these, 21-30% faced complications, underscoring serious shortfalls in post-abortion care. Although the rate of abortion-related complications declined from 13.9 per 1,000 in 2012 to 11.7 in 2023, disparities remain, with rural and low-income women at greater risk of complications than their urban, wealthier counterparts. The report is especially timely as Pakistan faces significant reproductive health challenges, with a population growth rate of 2.55% annually and stagnant contraceptive use. Approximately 17.3% of women report an unmet need for family planning, leading to high rates of unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions.
Dr. Zeba Sathar, Country Director of the Population Council, stressed that while Pakistan has made healthcare advancements, ensuring women’s access to family planning and safe reproductive health services remains critical. “Empowering women with access to family planning and safe healthcare services is key to not only improve health outcomes but also to broaden social and economic progress,” she remarked.
The event included a panel discussion, “Safeguarding Women’s Health in Pakistan,” moderated by Dr. Yasmeen Sabeeh Qazi, CEO of QZ Catalyst. Esteemed panelists, including Prof. Dr. Azra Ahsan, President of the AMAN; Prof. Dr. Nusrat Shah, Vice Chancellor of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University; Dr. Bushra Liaqat, Head of Department at Kohi Goth Hospital Karachi; and Ms. Sara Malkani, Reproductive Health Rights Legal Advisor, discussed barriers to reproductive healthcare and the stigma surrounding abortion.
