Every Woman Counts!

                                            EVERY WOMAN COUNTS!

                               by Society of Ob/Gyn (SOGP) and Packard Foundation

INTRODUCTION: 68, 000 women almost all from developing countries die due to abortion each year. Globally there is pandemic of abortions with nearly 40-50million miscarriages annually. This contributes to 13% of maternal mortality.  In Pakistan 29 per 1000 women seek miscarriages in reproductive age (pop council 2002).Because of clandestine nature of these miscarriages they result in very high maternal mortality and morbidity. Therefore SOGP in collaboration with Packard foundation started a project with aims to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality related to abortion in Pakistan

OBJECTIVE:

• Reduce maternal morbidity and mortality in the country by ensuring quality miscarriage services and post abortal care including family planning.
• Enhancing the knowledge, concepts and skills of health care providers
• Advocacy through media, religious scholars, NGOs and politicians

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Master trainers and focal persons were trained by SOGP. Seminars, workshops on manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) and medical management of abortion were conducted by master trainers. Meetings were held with stake holders including NGOs, parliamentarians and healthcare providers.

RESULTS: The project is working under three headings, which include capacity building, advocacy and networking. We have reached out to 114 health care providers who were trained in safer miscarriages techniques like MVA and medical management.

Meetings were done with University VCs and PMDC to include this in the medical curriculum. We have also met with parliamentarians in all four provinces and encourage legislature to save precious maternal life.

We have collaborated with population department and NGOs and UN organizations regarding safer practices for miscarriages

CONCLUSION:

• Increased awareness regarding medical management and skill development in MVA in healthcare professionals, for safer outcome in miscarriages.
• There has been a positive change in attitude of policymakers, religious scholars and community leaders.