Waseela-e-Sehat should focus on maternal, new born health: SPO Study Maternal & Newborn Health (MNH) should be treated as a Basic Right through Legal Protection; SPO Research Recommends
About eighty prominent Parliamentarians and senators from different political parties and parts of the country, civil society members, researchers and academia attended a Federal level Round-table convened by SPO (Strengthening Participatory Organization) to sensitize participants on the gaps and limitations of existing Social Safety Nets (SSNs) in Pakistan, for improving health in general, and Mother and Neonatal Health (MNH) in particular for the most marginalized women.
SPO Chief of Program Zafar Zeeshan welcomed the participants and shared the objectives of the consultation; he said the main objective of this research was to compare unconditional and conditional cash transfer programmes with focus on MNCH. NCCTs with the aim to financially empower women, in actual practice do not have the desired impact on enhancing women’s access to healthcare for a number of reasons. He added that the purpose of this discussion is to share the findings of the research. He said, Pakistan has a high Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 276 per 100000 live births. Risk of death is one per every 89 women compared to one per 8000 in the developed world.
Mr. Ayaz Kiyani, Technical Advisor presented the research findings. He also added that the purpose of the meeting is to discuss it and to take it to the floor of the house. He said, earlier we have done this discussion with MPA’s.
Revealing the research findings he said,conditional cash transfers would be more effective and beneficial in context of Pakistan, where service sectors like health and education have much to offer and are neglected by the community due to access and affordability issues. Within the health sector, MNCH is a much neglected area, which is perceived as low priority by both men and women alike.
The Speakers believed that conditional cash transfers would be more effective and beneficial in the context of Pakistan where service sectors like health and education have much to offer but are neglected by community due to access and affordability issues.
State Minister for Communications Abdul Hakeem Baloch, while endorsing SPO’s findings, assured the audience that he would take up the matter on the floor of the House. He said that the country had a number of institutions which are facing shortage of staff and need special attention of the government as well as the community. He said that confining the Waseela-i-Sehat programme to just the mother and the child will be beneficial; however, proper planning is required before taking this step.
Member of National Assembly (MNA) Chaudhry Nazir agreed that the programme money should be given to them women on conditional basis. He said that Benazir Income Support Programme needs re-verification as hundreds of undeserving people are getting the money.
It was consensus that BISP Waseela-e-Sehat should be further strengthened with more focus on MNCH services and linked with public and private health sectors. Participants of the seminar commented on Research finding and hoped that these recommendations will be tabled in National assembly and Senate.