PAKISTAN: Further Neglect Will Stop Economic Takeoff

By Feizal Samath Reprint | | Print |

Feizal Samath

COLOMBO, Oct 25 1997 (IPS) - Pakistan has one of the worst records in female health and education in South Asia and if urgent action is not taken, it will further jeopardise opportunities for economic growth, the World Bank has warned.

“High fertility and women’s poor health not only seriously limit famly well-being and productive capacity in Pakistan today, but also the development potential of tomorrow,” it noted in a report on improving women’s health in Pakistan and saving lives.

The report, prepared by Anne G. Tinker, a health specialist, and made available to delegates at an Oct. 18-23 international conference on safe motherhood being held in Colombo, however noted that despite the many problems Pakistan faces, there are encouraging signs of progress.

“The public sector is moving towards reform under the Social Action programme, launched four years ago. A larger share of government health expenditures is being directed to basic health services, such as reproductive and communicable disease control,” it said.

Community-based female health workers are being supported to bring services to women while contraceptive prevalence is rising to meet growing demand in the Punjab, where most of the population live.

More girls are also going to school. Yet there are more negatives than pos
ZCZC IPS026 DAP014 LLLL AA AB ARJ XJ WX DD QN SERVENG .LONAAMS DB MEXICO: Warnings of New Economic Problems

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