Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed on Monday the commitment of his government to guarantee quality health facilities for all citizens, especially mothers and newborns.
By marking World Health Day 2025, the prime minister said this year’s global theme, “healthy, hopeful future beginnings,” reflects the critical need to prioritize the health of babies from the birth and well -being of mothers.
In a statement issued by his office, Shehbaz recognized the progress that Pakistan has achieved to improve maternal and child health, but admitted that there are significant gaps.
“There is still a long trip ahead,” he said. “We must further develop our health system to face medical and social challenges that affect maternity and neonatal health.”
The prime minister emphasized the need for an integral approach to health reform, one that integrates technological innovation, public-private associations and investment in education, nutrition and environment.
“Our government undertakes to use modern technology and build solid associations to improve public health infrastructure,” he said.
He also asked for a multisectoral strategy to address the broader problems that affect health results. “We reiterate the need for a coordinated and practical approach in medical care, education, nutrition and environmental management,” he said.
World Health Day 2025 also starts a one -year campaign led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to end up preventable deaths of maternity and newborns and improve long -term well -being for women and families.
The WHO campaign highlights alarming global figures: almost 300,000 women die annually causes related to pregnancy, while more than 2 million newborns die in their first month of life, and another 2 million are dead dead. That is equivalent to preventable death every seven seconds.
According to current trends, four out of five countries are out of the way to meet the UN objectives to reduce maternal deaths, and one in three is ready to lose health goals of newborns.
The campaign urges governments to strengthen health systems not only to address direct obstetric complications but also non -communicable diseases, mental health conditions and the need for family planning services.
It also requires policies that support women’s rights, reproductive health and emotional well -being, along with better working conditions for midwives, nurses and frontline workers.
Meanwhile, United Nations agencies warned that cuts to international aid budgets threaten to reverse decades of progress in reducing maternal deaths, which can lead to an increase in preventable deaths during pregnancy and childbirth.
The warning coincided with the publication of a new UN report for World Health Day, which highlighted a 40% decrease in maternal mortality between 2000 and 2023, very thanks to better access to essential health services. However, the authorities now say that the impulse is at risk.
According to the report, trends in maternal mortality, approximately 260,000 women died in 2023 due to pregnancy or childbirth complications, which is equivalent to one death every two minutes.
