Islamabad: In a significant event coinciding with World Contraception Day, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Malik, Coordinator to the Prime Minister for the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination (MoNHSR&C), oversaw the signing of a Letter of Understanding (LOU) between the Department of Health ICT and GreenStar Social Marketing for the Poocho health helpline. The ceremony highlighted critical issues related to Pakistan’s burgeoning population and the vital role of family planning in national development.
According to Press Information Department, Dr. Malik used the platform to address the sharp population increase in Pakistan, which stands at approximately 241.499 million. He noted that since the country’s first census in 1951, when the population was 33.74 million, there has been a more than sevenfold increase. With a current growth rate of 2.55% per annum, the population is projected to swell to 263 million by 2030 and 383 million by 2050, making Pakistan the 5th most populous country globally.
Dr. Malik emphasized the importance of family planning, which he said is pivotal for achieving lower maternal and newborn mortality rates by preventing unintended pregnancies and spacing births. The revised National Action Plan on Population (2025-30) aims to increase the contraceptive prevalence rate to 60% by 2030, reduce the total fertility rate to 2.2, and decrease the population growth rate to 1.1% during the same period.
Furthermore, he lauded the efforts of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in raising contraception awareness and delivering family planning services, especially in underserved and rural areas. Through their community engagement, CHWs play a crucial role in educating the public, dispelling myths, and facilitating access to contraceptives and maternal health services.
The event also spotlighted the newly launched Poocho Health Helpline, designed to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services. Dr. Malik described the helpline as a critical resource providing confidential and reliable information, ensuring anonymity, and reducing barriers to healthcare access. He stressed that the helpline would refer callers to the nearest service providers, thus facilitating easier access to essential health services.
In conclusion, the launch of the Poocho Health Helpline and the emphasis on updated family planning strategies underscore the government’s commitment to addressing population challenges and enhancing healthcare access across Pakistan.