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BRSP marks International Women Day - Launches a new Project on Reproductive Health for the people of Balochistan

Quetta: (January 9): Balochistan Rural Support Programme (BRSP), PPHI, European Commission and Govt. of Balochistan launched a project on reproductive health on the occasion of International Women’s Day for district Pishin and Mastung. The function was held under the aegis of BRSP at a local hotel here on Monday. The event was attended by the officials of provincial department of health and education, health professionals, representatives of local and international organizations, media representatives, civil society and people from different walks of life.

The event launched a project on reproductive health issues in Balochistan tilted “Improved Reproductive Health Status of Women, Men, Youth and Adolescents in Pakistan” that has been designed by BRSP for district Mastung and Pishin. The project focuses to improve the Reproductive Health and overall well being of women, men, youth, and adolescents in Balochistan province with a special focus to reduce maternal and infant mortality rate in the target areas. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Nadir Gul Barech, Chief Executive Officer-BRSP introduced the project with stakeholders and briefed them about the project activities in two districts. BRSP envisages to increase access to, enhance demand for and improve management of Reproductive Health particularly maternal and child health services in public and private sectors. He further said that the project will enhance community awareness on Reproductive Health issues, including the right to Reproductive Health services, and empower vulnerable people to exercise their right and responsibility to access quality Reproductive Health services. Furthermore, it will also improve the service delivery by enhancing the capacities of service providers and equip service delivery points. BRSP will also advocate with key policy makers and opinion leaders to ensure political commitment for developing an enabling environment for Reproductive Health interventions.

Meanwhile, the Project Director of PPHI Mr. Ijaz Jaffar also gave an overview of PPHI activities and its objectives in the province and its main objectives are to provide health services to the people of the province.

The UNFPA representative Dr. Suleman Qazi highlighted the administrative and management issues that result in hampering reproductive health services in the province. He stressed upon the need to change the system of handling health problems especially maternal health. He added that lack of opportunities for the doctors serving the remote and far flung areas; political interference, doctors’ transfers and postings further deteriorated the situation.

In the end, Chief Guest of the event Provincial Minister for Labor and Manpower Maulana Muhammad Sarwar Musakhel emphasized the importance of Reproductive Health for Women, Men, Youth & Adolescent in rural areas of Balochistan and hoped that BRSP will succeed in this initiative and assured his full cooperation in the implementation of this noble project.

The event also generated a discourse on maternal health issues in Balochistan where the participants discussed the maternal issues in rural Balochistan. The participants also discussed the three delays model in maternal health contributing to the alarming maternal mortality rate in Balochistan.

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