Empowering Women: Bridging Gaps in Maternal & Preventive Healthcare

Access to maternal and preventive healthcare is a fundamental right, yet millions of women in Pakistan still struggle to receive even the most basic medical care. From pregnancy-related complications to undiagnosed chronic illnesses, the lack of timely interventions leads to preventable deaths and lifelong health issues. Despite advancements in medicine, barriers such as limited healthcare infrastructure, financial constraints, and cultural stigma continue to put women’s health at risk. Addressing these challenges requires urgent reforms, stronger healthcare policies, and innovative solutions that ensure every woman—regardless of her background—receives the care she deserves. 

The Current State of Maternal Healthcare in Pakistan

Pakistan has seen some progress in reducing maternal mortality, but significant gaps remain:

• High Maternal Mortality Rate: Over 5,000 women die annually from preventable pregnancy-related complications.

• Limited Access to Skilled Care: While 70% of urban births have professional assistance, rural coverage remains below 50%.

• Poor Postnatal Care: Less than 40% of women receive postpartum check-ups, leading to high maternal mortality after childbirth.

• Anemia and Malnutrition: Half of all pregnant women in Pakistan suffer from nutritional deficiencies, increasing complications during pregnancy.

Contributing Factors:

• Socio-Economic Barriers: Low literacy rates and poor economic conditions hinder women's access to quality healthcare services.​

• Geographical Challenges: Women in rural areas face significant obstacles in accessing healthcare facilities due to distance and lack of transportation.​

• Cultural Practices: Traditional beliefs and lack of autonomy can delay or prevent women from seeking timely medical care.

The lack of maternal health initiatives is not just a health issue—it’s a barrier to economic and social progress. If Pakistan wants to accelerate change, improving maternal health care must be a top priority.

Preventive Healthcare: A Long-Term Investment in Women’s Health

While maternal healthcare focuses on pregnancy and childbirth, preventive healthcare helps women avoid long-term health complications. It plays a crucial role in early disease detection, reducing mortality, and ensuring long-term well-being.

Essential Preventive Healthcare Services for Women

Cervical & Breast Cancer Screenings – Pakistan has one of the highest breast cancer rates in Asia, yet screening programs remain limited. Early detection can save thousands of lives.

HPV & Hepatitis Vaccinations – HPV vaccination can reduce cervical cancer risk, but low awareness and affordability limit access.

Diabetes & Hypertension Monitoring – Women with gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.

Iron & Folic Acid Supplementation – Maternal anemia is linked to low birth weight and pregnancy complications, making nutrition education essential.

Women’s wellness programs, awareness campaigns, and regular health screenings must be scaled up immediately to prevent major health crises in the future.

Challenges to Accessible Healthcare for Women in Pakistan

Even though maternal & preventive healthcare is essential, women in Pakistan face multiple barriers that prevent them from receiving timely and adequate medical attention. These challenges are particularly severe in rural and low-income communities, where healthcare infrastructure is limited, and social constraints further restrict access.

1. Geographic Barriers

• Many rural districts, including Balochistan’s Awaran, Sindh’s Tharparkar, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Torghar, have limited or no functional maternity centers, forcing women to seek care in far-off cities.

• In remote areas, ambulance services are scarce, and many pregnant women rely on donkey carts or motorbikes for transport, increasing the risk of delivery complications before reaching a hospital.

2. Financial Limitations

• Public sector hospitals often lack essential medicines, forcing women to buy them privately at high costs, which many cannot afford.

• In areas where no free maternal healthcare programs exist, women must depend on unregulated midwives and traditional birth attendants, which increases the risk of unsafe deliveries.

3. Cultural & Social Stigma

• In conservative communities, a woman’s mobility is restricted, making antenatal checkups and emergency visits difficult without male approval.

• The shortage of female gynecologists in rural hospitals prevents many women from seeking medical help, as social norms discourage consultations with male doctors.

Without targeted policy reforms, better infrastructure, and community-driven healthcare initiatives, these barriers will continue to put thousands of women at risk every year.

Bridging the Gap: Actionable Solutions

Pakistan must accelerate action by implementing immediate, large-scale interventions:

Mobile Health Clinics – Bringing medical professionals to underserved areas can improve healthcare access.

Community Midwife Training – Training local midwives ensures safe deliveries and postpartum care.

Digital Health Solutions – Telemedicine platforms like Sehat Kahani allow women to consult doctors remotely.

Public-Private Partnerships – Collaboration with NGOs & global health agencies can expand healthcare services quickly.

Compulsory Health Screenings – Nationwide preventive screenings for women including   breast cancer screenings, diabetes testing, and maternal check-ups must be enforced.

If Pakistan truly wants to accelerate progress, these reforms must be implemented urgently, not years down the line.

Women’s Day 2025: A Moment for Change

Women’s Day 2025 is not just a celebration—it’s a reminder that words must turn into action. This Women’s Day, the focus should be on "Accelerating Action"—not just raising awareness, but implementing real change.

Maternal deaths and preventable diseases should no longer be normalized. Women must demand better healthcare policies, early detection programs, and reproductive rights. Governments, healthcare organizations, and communities must act now to ensure equal healthcare access for every woman.

How Is SHINE Humanity Addressing Women’s Healthcare Challenges?

SHINE Humanity has been at the forefront of providing access to maternal care & preventive healthcare to underserved women in Pakistan. Our Community Outreach Program helps women with essential health education, covering reproductive health, nutrition, and hygiene, ensuring they make informed choices about their well-being. Additionally, our mobile medical clinics extend lifesaving services to remote areas, where healthcare access is nearly nonexistent.

But the need is immense, and countless women still lack the care they desperately deserve. Your support can help Shine Humanity expand its services, provide more medical supplies, and reach the most vulnerable. 

Every donation counts—help us save lives and ensure no woman suffers due to preventable health conditions. 

Join us in making a difference. 

Donate today.

Final Thoughts

Pakistan must prioritize maternal health initiatives & preventive healthcare to reduce avoidable deaths and diseases that continue to impact countless women. Women’s Day 2025 is not just a day of awareness but a moment for action. The government, healthcare providers, and communities must come together to make quality healthcare accessible to every woman, regardless of location or financial status. By investing in better policies, innovative healthcare solutions, and community-driven efforts, Pakistan can take meaningful strides toward ensuring that every woman has the right to a healthy life. The need for change is undeniable—what matters now is how quickly and effectively we can make it happen.

FAQs

1. Why is maternal healthcare important?
It ensures safe pregnancies, childbirth, and postpartum care, reducing maternal deaths.

2.What are key preventive healthcare measures for women?
Cancer screenings, vaccinations, prenatal nutrition, and chronic disease management.

3. How can communities support maternal healthcare?
By promoting health education, supporting community midwives, and encouraging early check-ups.

4. What are the biggest maternal health challenges in Pakistan?
Limited access to skilled care, lack of financial resources, and socio-cultural barriers.

5. How can Pakistan improve maternal healthcare?
By investing in rural clinics, telemedicine, and public-private partnerships.