Newborns' mortality rate reduced by 23 percent

Article published on The Nation on the Web

ISLAMABAD – The USAID-funded PAIMAN Project saved more than 30,000 newborn babies by reducing neonatal mortality by 23 percent through a replicable model of interventions.

According to handout issued here on Friday, six year project was successfully implemented in 24 districts of all Pakistan provinces and AJK plus two Agencies and two Regions of FATA, informed Dr. Nabeela Ali, PAIMAN Chief of Party, while addressing a press conference arranged as part of the Projects’ results dissemination ceremony.

Flanked by DG Health Ministry of Health, Mr Rashid Jooma and Deputy USAID Mission Director Ms. Denise Herbol, Dr Nabeela Ali shared various aspects of the PAIMAN project that will end on December 31, 2010. PAIMAN was initiated in October 2004 and reached 5.7 million beneficiaries-women, their families, and the health care providers who serve them-in some of the remotest areas of the country including Upper Dir, Buner, DG Khan, Lasbela, and Gwader.

Results from an endline evaluation conducted in PAIMAN’s initial 10 districts showed an overall increase of 27% in births attended by skilled health providers- an indicator that is acknowledged internationally to significantly reduce chances of mothers and newborns dying during delivery or the postpartum period.

The number of emergency c-sections increased by 40% in target districts. The Project’s mass media messages reached 70% of those having mass media access with significant behavior improvements.

Antenatal check-ups during pregnancy increased 29% while postnatal care within 24 hours increased by 33%.

Pregnant women receiving two tetanus toxoid shots increased from 48% at baseline to 56% at endline. Nabeela observed that despite having a vast intervention area ranging from Dadu to Upper Dir and working in extreme difficult security environment, PAIMAN demonstrated a workable model for improving the health of mothers and children using existing government systems and human resources. The Project was focused on specific districts but many of its interventions had national impact including capacity building of managers, advocacy for mothers’ health and mass media initiatives. PAIMAN broadcasted more than 36 hours of TV and radio programs aimed at improving knowledge and attitudes about mother and child health problems.

The Project empowered 2,200 young women to become community midwifes and provide skilled health services to mothers and children besides earning income for themselves and their families.
This was in addition to training 11,057 lady health workers in communication skills and group counseling and 5,262 staff of various health facilities in providing skilled care to women and children.
Furthermore, the project upgraded 57 training facilities including midwifery schools and renovated and upgraded 89 health facilities.

>>Read the executive summary of the PAIMAN Project Completion Report