Pakistan

Parvin

Parvin, age 25, gave birth to her first child in a health center in Hyderabad, Pakistan. Parvin is an example of what VSI hopes all women will experience in childbirth - a safe delivery. In Pakistan, it is uncommon that a woman will give birth with a skilled birth attendant, and even less likely that she will deliver at a health center. The success of VSI’s work will mean that Parvin and the thousands of women like her have a better chance at health and survival during childbirth.

In Pakistan, the majority of maternal deaths are due to excessive bleeding after childbirth, or postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). No woman should die from a manageable and preventable complication of childbirth such as PPH. To this end, during our program from 2008-2010, VSI addressed PPH prevention through collaboration with local organizations.

In 2009, Pakistan achieved a significant milestone: a quality misoprostol product was registered for distribution and sale. Having successfully brought ST Mom® (Save the Mom) to market, VSI focused its efforts on bringing misoprostol tablets closer to women through the public and private sectors, especially in remote areas where maternal mortality is the highest.

Other completed activities:

Promoting safe and effective approaches to preventing postpartum hemorrhage.

Establishing systems for training and education of community health workers.

Raising awareness of misoprostol through media campaigns and community outreach.

Mobilizing policy makers, government officials, NGOs and communities to advocate for use of misoprostol.

Taken together, these efforts contribute towards safer motherhood for Pakistani women.

By the Numbers

Estimated Total Population

180.8 M

Lifetime Risk of Maternal Death

1 woman in 93

Maternal Mortality Ratio

260 per 100,000 live-births

Total Fertility Rate

4.0

Births Attended by Skilled Health Provider

39%

Unmet Need for Family Planning

33%

Source: PRB, 2011 and WHO, 2010