Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, the Minister for Health and Population Welfare in Sindh, stressed the urgent need for safe reproductive healthcare during 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.” She underscored the importance of integrating contraceptive and post-abortion care services into health facilities across the nation, highlighting that the lack of counseling is a significant factor contributing to unsafe abortions. “It is imperative that health facilities nationwide integrate contraceptive and post-abortion care services,” Dr. Pechuho stated. “We must educate people about contraceptive options and make them widely accessible.” During her address, Dr. Pechuho pointed out the critical shortage of community health workers, which affects the quality and reach of healthcare services. She also expressed concerns regarding the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, advocating for a system that better incentivizes health and population welfare improvements by rewarding provinces with strong health indicators through legislative representation. Aligning Pakistan’s abortion policies with World Health Organization guidelines is crucial for enhancing the quality of care, Dr. Pechuho argued. She remarked, “Rising maternal mortality due to unsafe abortions is a pressing issue, and accessible, safe reproductive healthcare must be a priority.” The report unveiled at the event presented alarming findings from the Population Council’s national study, indicating that in 2023, there were 66 induced abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age (15-49). Of these, 21-30% experienced complications, highlighting significant gaps in post-abortion care.
