QUETTA, Oct 26 (APP):A one-day consultative workshop on the Midwifery Investment Case for Balochistan was held in Quetta, organized with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Rehnuma-FPAP, and the Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) Program.
The event brought together key stakeholders to advocate for increased investment in Balochistan’s midwifery workforce, emphasizing the need for expanded service coverage, improved healthcare delivery, and structured career pathways for midwives.
The session was chaired by Dr. Asif Shahwani, Director of Public Health, alongside co-chairs Dr. Gul Sabeen Azam, Provincial Coordinator for the MNCH Program, and Ms. Sadia Atta, UNFPA Provincial Lead.
Participants underscored the vital role midwives play in bolstering primary healthcare especially in Balochistan’s remote and hard-to-reach areas. Difficult terrain and sparse healthcare infrastructure in the province continue to drive high rates of maternal mortality (MMR), infant mortality (IMR), and neonatal mortality (NMR).
Speakers agreed that investing in community midwives is a vital step toward ensuring equitable access to skilled birth attendance and improving overall maternal and child health outcomes. Developing a comprehensive Midwifery Investment Case was highlighted as a timely initiative to build a sustainable, well-supported healthcare workforce.
Dr. Mohsin Raza, lead consultant for the investment plan, commended the Health Department and the MNCH Program for their active cooperation and data-sharing. He noted that this partnership demonstrates a strong provincial commitment to advancing maternal and newborn care across Balochistan.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
