The administration of the famlly planning programme in Pakistan with special reference to the employment of paramedical personnel.

Abstract

Pakistans government-sponsored family planning program began in 1965 with the objective of making contraceptive services available to the entire eligible population. The central government is responsible for the implementation coordination assessment and evaluation of the family planning activities in the provinces and for research and procurement and distribution of foreign aid. All forms of contraceptives are available to both men and women at little or no cost. Contraceptives can be obtained in all family planning clinics and in most of the shops throughout the country. Clinical services emphasize vasectomies and IUD insertions which are restricted by a culture allows only women doctors to insert IUDs. In order to overcome this restriction clinical paramedical personnel and health visitors are being trained to insert IUDs. They are placed in rural areas as family planning clinic staff. The dais the village midwives are also being recruited to provide family planning service. This group has the most access to women before and following their deliveries are accepted as competent by the women and are in a good position to advise them. With training and supervision the level of their performance will increase and they can provide an invaluable service by promoting the acceptance of family planning. Also younger more educated women are becoming midwives. They are paid incentives for contraceptive acceptors.