Sindh health minister calls for stronger measures to protect mothers during childbirth

Karachi: Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho has expressed serious concern over the rising maternal mortality rate associated with repeated cesarean section (C-section) deliveries. Speaking at the “Maa Rahe Salamat” (May Mothers Stay Safe) Family Planning Summit held at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) in Karachi, she emphasized the urgent need for stronger policies and legislation to protect the lives and health of mothers in Pakistan.

Addressing participants at the summit, Dr. Pechuho stated that Sindh has taken a leading role in promoting maternal and child health across the country. She highlighted that the provincial government has introduced several laws and initiatives aimed at improving healthcare services for women and children, particularly during pregnancy and childbirth.

The health minister noted that the increasing number of cesarean deliveries has contributed to a higher rate of maternal deaths. According to her, repeated surgical deliveries expose women to greater health risks, including excessive bleeding, infections, complications from anesthesia, and damage to internal organs. She said the provincial health department is actively working to address these issues and expressed confidence that the results of these efforts will become visible in the near future.

Dr. Pechuho stressed that protecting mothers during childbirth should be treated as a national priority. She said the government wants to introduce legislation that ensures the safety of women during pregnancy and delivery while also promoting informed family planning decisions.

One of the key proposals she discussed was the introduction of tubal ligation after a woman’s third cesarean section. Tubal ligation is a permanent method of contraception in which the fallopian tubes are blocked or sealed to prevent future pregnancies. According to Dr. Pechuho, women who undergo a third C-section face significantly higher health risks if they become pregnant again.

She argued that women should have the right to request tubal ligation during their third cesarean delivery if they wish to avoid future pregnancies. In her view, providing this option would help reduce preventable maternal deaths and improve long-term maternal health outcomes. She added that ensuring access to this procedure should be considered an important part of reproductive healthcare.

The minister further remarked that if Pakistan is serious about reducing maternal mortality, mandatory consideration of tubal ligation after a third cesarean section should be included in public health policy. She explained that she deliberately presented the proposal in cautious terms but believes that legislation should move in this direction. According to her, she is already working to advance legal reforms that would support this objective.

Dr. Pechuho concluded by reaffirming the Sindh government’s commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of mothers and newborns. She emphasized that comprehensive maternal healthcare, effective family planning services, and timely medical interventions are essential for reducing preventable deaths and ensuring healthier families. She expressed hope that the proposed legal and policy reforms would strengthen maternal healthcare services and provide greater protection for women across the province.