State Minister for national health calls for collective action on Population growth

ISLAMABAD, Jul 29 (APP): Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, has emphasized that Pakistan’s rapidly growing population poses a serious challenge and warned that, without timely and effective interventions, the country’s population could reach nearly 400 million by 2040.

He stressed that addressing this challenge requires not only government initiatives but also the active participation of every member of society.

Dr. Bharath expressed these views while addressing the ceremony for the handover of reproductive health and family planning commodities. He stated that family planning is not merely about limiting the number of children but about ensuring that every child is born into a healthy, safe, and dignified environment.

The Minister said parents should carefully consider whether they have the necessary resources to provide their children with adequate nutrition, quality education, timely immunization, access to healthcare, and proper upbringing before planning their families. He emphasized that a healthy and prosperous society can only be built when every child enjoys their fundamental rights.

Highlighting the importance of reproductive health services, Dr. Bharath noted that the use of modern contraceptive methods in Pakistan remains comparatively low when measured against several other countries, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Türkiye. He observed that limited utilization of safe and effective family planning methods contributes to unintended pregnancies, which in turn increase the incidence of unsafe abortions, posing serious risks to women’s health and placing additional pressure on the country’s healthcare system.

The Minister underscored that a healthy mother is the foundation of a healthy family and a strong nation. He said that poor maternal health adversely affects children’s growth, education, development, and the overall well-being of families. Just as fathers bear the responsibility of providing for their families financially, safeguarding maternal health is equally essential for family welfare and national progress.

Dr. Bharath further informed the audience that Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a National Council to address the country’s population challenges. The Council is working on a comprehensive national strategy aimed at promoting balanced population growth, improving maternal and child health, and strengthening family planning services across Pakistan.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, the Minister said the Ministry of National Health Services, in collaboration with provincial governments, development partners, and relevant institutions, will continue to enhance the accessibility, quality, and effectiveness of maternal and child healthcare and family planning services throughout the country.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Bharath appealed to all Pakistanis to embrace family planning with a sense of responsibility and awareness, keeping in view the brighter future of coming generations. He said collective efforts would ensure that every child grows up in a healthy environment, every mother remains safe, and Pakistan moves toward becoming a stronger, healthier, and more prosperous nation.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Health Services stated that the Government of China, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has provided the Government of Pakistan with reproductive health and family planning medicines, medical supplies, and equipment worth US$2 million.

The handover ceremony was held at the Basic Health Unit (BHU), Tarlai, Islamabad, where the contribution was described as a significant step toward strengthening reproductive healthcare services, improving maternal and child health outcomes, and expanding public access to quality family planning services across Pakistan.