In Pakistan the infant mortality rate has decreased but these figures are still not satisfactory, which is mainly due to the failure of maternal and child facilities in the country. In this regard a report of the United Nations has revealed a bitter truth that South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are the two worst regions in terms of child mortality.
This may not come as a surprise to most people because the countries in these regions are stuck in the cycle of political instability and economic depression. In addition, poverty and economic failure are common in these countries but the sad thing is that this list of countries Pakistan has also been included.
It should be noted that recent trends show that Pakistan is struggling to reduce its child mortality rate. It has fared quite well over the past several years, with the under-five mortality rate reaching 63 per 100,000, according to the United Nations. In 2000 it was 108% per annum but we need to do more to improve this situation.
In our society women’s health in general, especially during pregnancy is rarely not given much importance. Most low-income households fail to provide pregnant women with a balanced diet and essential nutrients.
Moreover early marriages which are still common in various parts of the country, have a negative impact on the lives of young girls, increasing the number of miscarriages. The main reason for this is, the government allocates very little budget for the health sector due to which the citizens are forced to prefer private treatment which is not standard.
Actually those clinics are busy in looting the innocent citizens. As these private hospitals charge a lot of money but delivering very cheap and unhealthy services. Therefore, most of the poor families depend on untrained midwives for delivery which leads to female and child deaths. Remember that babies born in unsanitary conditions are at higher risk of contracting deadly bacteria and other diseases.
Since most of the major hospitals are located in urban areas, people in rural and remote areas have no choice but to make long and difficult journeys. Women often die in the effort to reach the hospital. The aforementioned dead-on-arrival is one of the main reasons for the increase in cases.
Although the rating of Pakistan at the international level has improved slightly, the reports prepared at the local level.
In Pakistan the problem of child deaths is also increasing. The Edhi Foundation has shared the number of infant corpses, which is 290 deaths per year. According to these reports, such heartbreaking facts come to light year after year, yet the authorities concerned rarely take any countermeasures.
The decisions of the policy makers often show how the ruling elites are playing with the lives of the common people. Political leaders also keep ignoring the promises made during their election campaigns. It may be recalled that in his inaugural address as the country’s Prime Minister in 2018, Imran Khan promised to tackle malnutrition but in January 2022, his government introduced a 17% ban on locally produced powdered milk for infants. Proposed a percentage sales tax without understanding how the move would affect people’s ability to buy essential food items for their children. Our health care authorities need to come up with a fool proof plan to reduce child mortality rate. Yet no specific measures have been taken by the current government regarding maternal and child health which is proudly recognized by the world.
Therefore the country needs a real mother and child care program that can reach all the urban and rural areas of the county, where often the government teams couldn’t reach in any such campaign of national interest.
