Venue: Conference Hall, CDPR
Date: 26th July 2019, Friday
Time: 3.30 pm to 5.00 pm

One in eighty-nine women in Pakistan die because of pregnancy and childbirth-related complications. Pakistan’s Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) is 178 deaths per 100,000 live births. The country currently spends less than 1 percent of its GDP on healthcare. To reduce maternal mortality rates, healthcare facilities need to be improved. Rural women are less likely to have access to healthcare facilities; hence their maternal mortality rate are higher than their urban counterparts.

The discussion highlighted the leading causes of maternal mortality in Pakistan and possible solutions. The following experts were invited:

Ms. Mehreen Shahid, Founder Safe Delivery Safe Mother, discussed the leading causes of maternal mortality and ongoing efforts to address them.

Mr. Naeem Majeed, Additional Director, Integrated Reproductive Maternal Newborn, Child Health & Nutrition Program (IRMNCHN) Program, Punjab, discussed the efforts the Provincial government is making to reduce the maternal mortality rate.

Dr. Samia Altaf, Family Physician/ Public Health Consultant and the author of “So Much Aid So Little Development: Stories From Pakistan.” A book about Pakistan’s health and population sector, moderated the session and gave the practitioner’s insight into the issue.