Launching Ceremony of PRISM Project

A project for promoting interventions for safe motherhood (PRISM) led by the National Programme for Family Planning & Primary Health Care was launched on 25 June, 2010. This project was launched in collaboration with the MNCH Programme the UNFPA and Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC).

The Honorable Minister for Health Makhdoom Shahabuddin was the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony that was organized at Marriot Hotel Islamabad.

The proceedings began with recitation from the Holy Quran, that was performed by Dr Azeem ushan. Dr Farrukh Lodhi was the moderator for the event.

Dr. Iqbal Ahmad Lehri welcomed the participants and threw light on the importance of the project. He shared that PRISM was a project led by the National Programme for Family Planning & Primary Health care to train Lady Health Workers as ‘Community Midwives’ who would then deliver MNCH services as skilled midwives in their communities.

Addressing on the guests at occasion the Minister said that the Lady Health Workers’ Programme was initiated by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and true to her commitment the present Government was supporting every effort in saving lives of women and children. He also said that the government was well aware of the Lady Health Workers’ Issues and was doing it’s best to solve them. The Minister also said that the Government was trying to increase the number of LHWs and expand the Programme into disadvantaged areas.

Dr Mubashar Hanif Malik, the National Programme Officer (UNFPA) then gave a presentation and gave a comprehensive overview of the PRISM project.

Speaking on the occasion the Secretary Health KHUSHNOOD Akhter Lashari said that the LHWs were the backbone of health system of Pakistan. He said that the Ministry was working on the career/service structure of LHWs and towards strengthening the Lady Health Workers Programme.

On this occasion, a Lady Health worker who was now a community midwife shared her experience. She story moved the audience and she was given a huge applause.

National Programme manager Dr Farooq Akhtar said that high maternal and infant mortality rates in the country have compounded issues that go with growing poverty in the country. He said that the PRISM project would benefit the LHWs in providing them with life long skills and economic empowerment and pave way for further career development.

Mr. Yu Yu representing the country representative of the UNFPA also spoke on the occasion and appreciated the work of Lady Health Workers. He said the new upcoming project of PRISM would enhance the role of LHWs and will contribute towards achieving the MDGs.