HYDERABAD, June 16 2006: Some 30,000 women die each year due to pregnancy complications, while, 300,000 develop lifelong pregI nancy-related disability. Speaking at a programme titled “Women Health Issues in Pakistan” held at the Press Club here on June 15, Secretary-General of Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Dr Sher Shah Syed said the health of the rural women is generally the poorest due to lack of facilities and skilled health providers. He mentioned that maternal mortality ratio in predominantly rural Balochistan is 800 maternal deaths to 100,000 live births, compared to the national average of 340 per 100,000.
Dr Shah said Pakistan is ranked 135th out of 174 nations on the Gender Development Index (GDI) 2005 of the UNDP. Similarly, on the Gender Empowerment Measurement (GEM) 1999, they country is ranked 1100 out of the 102 countries. “The figures are dismal in terms of health status,” he said, adding that untimely death or disability of a woman affected the health of her children, household productivity and ultimately the national economy.
About 25 per cent of the children are born underweight due to maternal problems and 10 per cent of children do not reach their first birthday.” He said high fertility has resulted in high population growth of three per cent per annum and consequently, improving women’s reproductive health through the use of contraceptives and spacing of children will not only improve their, health but also reduce population growth and allow women more time to pursue economic activities.
Dr Sher Shah said that there were marked differences between the health status of women and men in Pakistan. “For example, malnutrition is a major public health problem that disproportionately affects women and girls.” “More girls than boys die between the ages of 1 and 4; in fact the female mortality rate here is 12 per cent higher than for boys,” he said adding: “It is a direct consequence of the lower social status accorded to women and girls. who, as a result, tend to eat less and face additional barriers when accessing health care.”
He said women, girls and infants most often die of common communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, diarrhea, pneumonia and tetanus, which could have been easily prevented and treated. Dr Sher Shah said that high prevalence of communicable diseases and malnutrition is not only related to poor living conditions, but also to the lower social status of women and girls. It.is because of the social stigma and gender norms that as many as 50 per cent of women suffer from recurrent reproductive tract infections, he added.
He continued: “Underlying factors here are the lack of awareness of and attention to women’s health needs; women’s lower education and social status; and social constraints on women and girls, including the practice of seclusion.”
Source: Daily Times
Date:6/16/2006
