Every Single Minute, a Child Under the Age of Five Years Dies In Pakistan

Every minute a child under the age of five year dies in Pakistan, while every 20 minute a woman dies due to pregnancy related causes, the Director of Sindh Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health (MNCH) Programme has said.

Dr. Sahib Jan Badar said that nearly 400,000 children under the age of five-year die annually, and out of those about 280,000 die within 28 days after their birth.

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Dr. Badar, who was delivering a presentation at a one-day health awareness workshop in Karachi, also stressed the need to improve supply and create demand for MNCH services and promote positive behaviour in communities during pregnancy, labour and in postpartum care.

Sharing data on the MNCH situation in Pakistan, she maintained that less than 30 percent women had any antenatal care, nearly 37 percent women were anaemic (haemoglobin (Hb) levels below 12 gm percent, one third pregnant and half lactating women had less than 70 percent of the recommended caloric intake, and only 10 to 15 percent received post natal care.

Studies have also shown that women, families and providers do not focus on how to prepare and plan for the delivery, or for potential pregnancy and birth related health emergencies, she added.

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Source-ANI

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