LAHORE — In many parts of Punjab, becoming a mother is a risky endeavor. Women endure repeated pregnancies due to inadequate healthcare, limited access to family planning services, and deep-rooted social pressures to bear more children. For some, the journey ends in death during pregnancy or childbirth—deaths that healthcare experts say are entirely preventable.
Fresh data shared by the Population Council in a fact sheet paints a disturbing picture of maternal health in Pakistan’s most populous province. More than 52,000 maternal deaths occur annually in Punjab, with a significant portion linked to unplanned and closely spaced pregnancies.
Health experts emphasize that a substantial number of these deaths could be avoided if women had better access to contraceptive services and the autonomy to make reproductive choices.
The Life-Saving Potential of Family Planning
The findings reveal that increasing contraceptive use from the current 41 percent to 59 percent could save approximately 2,300 mothers’ lives every year. The same improvement could also prevent around 73,000 infant deaths annually, highlighting how family planning directly impacts both maternal and child survival.
According to the data, millions of women continue to face barriers in accessing even basic reproductive healthcare. In rural areas, clinics are often understaffed or poorly supplied, while cultural norms discourage women from seeking contraceptive services. Many are left with little choice but to endure repeated pregnancies, risking their health each time.
Population Growth Strains Healthcare System
Punjab’s population growth is intensifying the crisis. With an annual growth rate of 2.53 percent, the population is expanding rapidly, placing immense strain on healthcare facilities. Maternity wards, particularly in government hospitals, are frequently overcrowded, leaving doctors and nurses struggling to provide adequate care.
Infant mortality remains another critical concern, with around 73 out of every 1,000 children dying before their first birthday. The figure reflects not only gaps in neonatal care but also the impact of poor maternal health. Experts emphasize that healthier, well-spaced pregnancies significantly improve a child’s chances of survival.
Expert Voices
Population Council Senior Director Dr. Ali Mir stressed the urgency of the situation. “When women are denied access to family planning, the consequences are severe,” he said. “It is not just about population numbers but saving lives and protecting the health of mothers and children.” He added that improving contraceptive access could dramatically reduce both maternal and infant mortality rates.
Another expert, Ikramul Haq, highlighted the structural challenges facing the province. “Punjab may have relatively better health infrastructure than other provinces, but the pressure created by its large population undermines these advantages,” he noted. “Without focused interventions, the system will remain overwhelmed.”
Regional Comparisons
A comparison with other provinces reveals that Punjab’s challenges are unique in scale. While Balochistan struggles primarily with access and infrastructure, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa shows gradual improvement in some indicators, Punjab’s massive population amplifies the consequences of any gaps in service delivery.
On a regional level, Pakistan continues to lag behind neighboring countries such as India and Bangladesh, where sustained investment in family planning has led to lower fertility rates and improved maternal health outcomes.
In contrast, Punjab’s progress remains uneven, with contraceptive use stagnating and population growth remaining high.
Barriers to Access
Observers suggest that misinformation, lack of awareness, and limited decision-making power for women are key factors behind low contraceptive use. In many households, women cannot independently decide the number or spacing of their children, leaving them vulnerable to repeated health risks.
The economic impact of the crisis is also significant, as rapid population growth places additional pressure on public resources, from healthcare and education to employment opportunities. Analysts warn that without immediate action, these challenges will intensify in the coming years.
The Way Forward
The Population Council data underscores that Punjab’s maternal and infant health challenges are deeply tied to unmet family planning needs. The burden of unchecked population growth continues to fall most heavily on those with the least power to change their circumstances.
Advocates are calling for a multi-pronged approach: expanding access to contraceptive services, investing in rural healthcare infrastructure, launching awareness campaigns to counter misinformation, and empowering women to make independent reproductive choices.
Until those changes occur, thousands of women will continue to face the risk of death simply for bringing life into the world.
