Women’s Health Care in Pakistan

Pakistan has poor health as well as sanitation infrastructure. This is especially true in the rural regions of the country. About 19% of the Paki population is malnourished as against the 17% average maintained for developing countries. Astoundingly, 30% of the child population under the age of 5 is malnourished! Some of the leading causes of diseases and death are gastroenteritis, respiratory infections, tuberculosis, congenital abnormalities, malaria, and typhoid fever. According to the United Nations estimates AIDS will be the single major health concern, could soon take the shape of an epidemic. As of 2003, there were just 68 doctors for every 100,000 Pakistanis. By 2002, the country had 12,501 health institutions including 4,590 dispensaries, 906 hospitals and a total count of 80,665 hospital beds. The rural regions had only 550 health centers with a total count of 8,840 beds.

However, that being said it is heartening to see that the Pakistani government is committed to the cause of having a healthier and well-looked after population. This is specially evidenced by the new health, nutrition, and population guidelines issued by the government’s National Health Policy Guidelines till 2010. One of the redeeming aspects of this promising initiative is the introduction of a lady health worker (LHW). A community-based service, this program aims to give health related information, basic health care tips, and family planning guidance to women in Pakistan. Currently, there are 3,000 women serving as LHWs in their communities.

While there have been many health-related plans being implemented by the government, one health issue that is still a major cause of concern for women of Pakistan is the high neonatal and maternal mortality rates. Developed countries have been successful in reducing the number of deaths of pregnant women by educating and training the nurses-midwives, some developing nations have been unable to do so. Though the exact maternal and neonatal mortality rates of women in Pakistan are unavailable, it is generally believed that the rate could be around 30-50% (or higher).

If the factors that contribute to this high mortality rate could be controlled, a reduction in the neonatal death rate is likely to come down significantly. Using capable and trained nurses or midwives for deliveries and other women health related issues throughout Pakistan, would be greatly instrumental in a lower mortality rate and better health of the country’s women as well as child population.

Neonatal and maternal health issues are wide spread and complicated due to frequent child births. Shocking as it may seem, but one out of every 38 women dies during child birth. The infant mortality rate is no better and stands at 101 deaths per 1,000 kids, while for those aged below 5 have higher mortality rate with 140 deaths per 1,000 births. These numbers far exceed the averages for developing countries by 60% and 36% respectively.

Though more and more men and women in Pakistan are using contraceptives, the rate of fertility still remains high and there is an average of 5.3 births per woman with population growth rate much higher than anywhere else in South Asia.

Secrets To Improving Women’s Health and Fitness

What should you eat? What exercise program should you try? Who should you listen to? So many questions and so many answers. What’s the best way to steer your way through this myriad of unknowns in order that you can experience better health and fitness?

Sometimes the best answers are the simplest ones. Rather than worrying about all of the what’s that you should choose from how about taking a moment to ask yourself what’s best for you. You are after all the person who knows yourself the best. So all of these questions about what foods to eat, what exercises to do, and who to believe should be looked at only after you take a good look at yourself and decide what you really want in your quest for better women’s health and fitness

After you listen to, watch, and read all of the information that you want about eating and exercising you have to decide what’s best for you. Case in point. You read a great article on the best foods for weight loss but find out that the list includes mostly foods that you are allergic to. The weight loss program that you are interested in suggests that you use free weights because this will add strength and help you burn fat but you know that you won’t go to a gym and you know that you just won’t lift weights. So if you know that even though something sounds good, you just won’t do what the program asks for, why get started?

Here’s some healthy ideas for you to consider when choosing and beginning an exercise program.

Decide to get started and then make a choice as to a program that will work for you.

Once you have chosen a program commit to scheduling time to do the workout.

Think about doing this new program with a friend. Whether you choose to do a home workout or you choose to go to a class it’s always easier to get started with a friend. Planning a workout program with a friend also helps both of you be more accountable for doing the program and also for improving your women’s health and fitness.

Choosing a class to go to may be a good idea because having an instructor helps you know that you are doing the movements correctly and also puts you in an environment with others who are also encouraging and trying to reach similar goals.

Be careful about comparing. All to often people lose interest in their exercise program because they tell themselves that they are not as slim, fast, good, or other reasons as the person or people that they are doing a workout with. Do what you can do and be happy with the results. Watching and comparing yourself to others is a sure fire way to sabotage your desire to continue with your fitness program.

Be patient. It takes time to see big results but be on the look out for little progress. Being regular with your exercise will soon have you seeing the results that you are looking for even if those results may not happen as quickly as you might like. It takes time and your patience and persistence will be rewarded. One step at a time.

Celebrate. Be happy for your progress and pat yourself of the back when you are able to do something better than you did the day or week before. Getting fit can be hard work at times so it’s necessary to feel that you are moving in the right direction. Give yourself credit and you will find your women’s health and fitness program to be much more enjoyable.