The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved US$100 million for the Punjab Family Planning Programme on Thursday, with the goal of increasing the use of family planning services in Pakistan’s Punjab province.
“By 2030, we hope to have universal access to reproductive healthcare and a 60 per cent utilisation of family planning methods in Punjab,” said Najy Benhassine, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan.
“This is critical for Pakistan’s development because excessive population growth stifles development, slows the accumulation of human capital, and contributes to the poverty of families.”
The Punjab Family Planning Programme, according to the announcement, would provide timely access to high-quality family planning services at no cost. It will also standardise care across the family planning services delivery system.
The programme will scale up innovations such as clinical franchising, voucher schemes, and community-based family planning counselling that have been trialled in several districts of Punjab and have proven improvements in family planning results.
The programme will target areas and populations with low or no access to family planning services by utilising a broad network of lady health workers, family welfare workers, and community health workers linked to health facilities, family health clinics, and family welfare centres.
The programme will expand the voucher incentive scheme, social marketing, participation of male and community leaders, and youth platforms to increase utilisation of family planning services. It will also help family planning service professionals enhance their interpersonal communication abilities.
“Family planning allows couples to make informed decisions about how many children they want and when they want them,” said Manav Bhattarai, Team Leader for the programme. “Enabling individuals to plan their families helps prevent unplanned or unintended pregnancies, ultimately leading to a decrease in overall fertility rates,” the report continued.
World Bank in Pakistan
Pakistan has been a World Bank member since 1950. The World Bank has since provided $40 billion in support. A Country Partnership Strategy governs the World Bank’s programme in Pakistan, with four major areas of engagement: energy, private sector development, inclusion, and service delivery. The present portfolio includes 58 projects totalling $14.8 billion in commitments.
