The Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank has approved a $100 million funding for the Punjab Family Planning Programme.
The aim of the program is to enhance the utilization of family planning services in Punjab, which is home to more than half of Pakistan’s population.
The program will provide free access to quality family planning services and focus on ensuring the provision of high-quality care throughout the delivery system.
In addition to providing services, the program will also focus on raising awareness about the benefits of family planning through public information and advocacy campaigns.
The World Bank’s Country Director for Pakistan, Najy Benhassine, emphasized the significance of the program in achieving universal access to reproductive healthcare and increasing the usage of family planning methods to 60% in Punjab by 2030. Benhassine highlighted that population growth rates have a direct impact on development, human capital accumulation, and poverty eradication.
The program will expand on successful pilot initiatives such as clinical franchising, voucher schemes, and family planning counseling through community leaders.
These initiatives have shown promising results in improving family planning outcomes in various districts of Punjab. The program will utilize an extensive network of healthcare workers and centers to reach communities with limited or no access to family planning services.
Furthermore, the program will scale up efforts to engage male and community leaders, utilize youth platforms, and enhance interpersonal communication skills of family planning service providers. By empowering individuals to make informed choices about family planning, the program aims to prevent unintended pregnancies and decrease overall fertility rates.
The financing of the program follows the Programme-for-Results (