ISLAMABAD: The government plans to incorporate the education of health, hygiene and nutrition in the curriculum to promote early awareness among the people, announces Caretaker Federal Minister for Health Dr Nadeem Jan.
The announcement was made by the minister in a women's convention focused on 'Family Planning and Population' organized by the Population Programme Wing (PPW) of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination.
Emphasising the urgency of the matter, Dr Jan underscored the alarming rate of population growth in Pakistan, highlighting an annual addition of approximately 6.1 million individuals. "This rate exceeds the entire populations of countries like Singapore, Denmark, and Norway," he remarked. "We are facing a challenge where our yearly population growth surpasses the entire population of Denmark."
Suggesting a multi-faceted approach, the minister stressed the need to manage and stabilise the population while simultaneously focusing on resource management. He proposed the integration of health, population, and nutrition initiatives at both federal and provincial levels, drawing attention to the successful model implemented in Iran that places the family as a central unit.
Reaffirming the significance of women's role in societal development, Dr Jan emphasised the importance of empowering and educating women, citing their potential contribution to national progress. He also outlined plans to increase the number of lady health workers, integrating polio workers and volunteers into the existing workforce to address underserved areas effectively.
The minister outlined plans for the implementation of a comprehensive dashboard system at district, provincial, and federal levels to provide real-time data on health, population, and family planning. Additionally, he pledged to revitalise community health committees and ensure respect and dignity for the healthcare staff, including nurses, midwives, doctors, and community workers.
Expressing optimism for the nation's future, Dr Nadeem Jan commended the efforts of the Women and Population Programme wing's team of the Ministry of National Health Services. The event saw the recognition of outstanding performers in the fields of family planning, maternal, and child health, with the participation of provincial secretaries from Sindh, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit Baltistan, alongside the country director of UNFPA and other development partners. The UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) provided crucial support for the successful execution of the convention.