Lahore, Aug. 30 (TNS): Punjab province leads in almost all key health sectors, says a report of Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS).
PDHS is the most reliable health survey conducted periodically across Pakistan. 2017-18 PDHS was implemented by National Institute of Population Studies with oversight from prominent international agencies such as USAID, UKAID and UNFPA.
The results of the survey show that Punjab is significantly ahead of all the other provinces on almost all key health indicators.
Punjab also outperforms other provinces in family planning, use of contraceptives and MNCH (Maternal, Newborn & Child Health. in addition to greater vaccination coverage.
Punjab had the lowest percentage of teenage pregnancy Punjab stands at 6.2, Sindh at 9.9, KP at 14.8 and Balochistan at 11.6
Use of contraceptives highest in Punjab, highest score for Any method & Any modern method Punjab 38.3 for any method, 27.2 for any modern method, Sindh 30.9 & 24.4, KP 30.9 & 23.2, Balochistan 19.8 & 14.
Unmet Demand for family planning in Punjab is 15.8, Sindh 17.7, KP 20.5, Balochistan 21.6
Punjab with highest percentage of women with demand for contraception satisfied.
Overall statistics of Pakistan, PDHS 2017-18 report scored better than PDHS 2012-13 report, with lowest unmet need during last 3 decades and highest percentage of demand satisfied with modern methods.
Unmet demand for contraceptives, Punjab 16, Sindh 18, KP 21, Balochistan 22
Modern contraceptive use, Punjab 27, Sindh 24, KP 23, Balochistan 14
Demand satisfied with modern contraceptives: Punjab 50, Sindh 50, KP 45, Balochistan 34
Child mortality recorded lowest in almost 3 decades Neonatal mortality 55 per thousand in 2012-13, 42 in 2017-18, Infant mortality was 74, now 62, under-5 mortality was 89, now 74.
