KARACHI: Bayer Pakistan and the Association for Mothers & Newborns (AMAN) have joined forces to raise awareness about modern contraceptive methods and their safe usage throughout Pakistan to mark World Contraception Day.
The partnership was formalised with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), followed by the first of several planned scientific sessions for healthcare professionals countrywide. These sessions aim to highlight the role of modern contraceptives in safeguarding women’s health and enhancing child wellbeing.
World Contraception Day, supported by international organisations such as Bayer, focuses on the importance of informed reproductive choices in reducing unintended pregnancies, particularly in areas where women face challenges in controlling their reproductive health.
This message is especially relevant to Pakistan, where 19 million women between the ages of 15 and 49 wish to avoid unintended pregnancies, yet 50pc (9.5 million women) of them do not have access to modern contraceptives.
According to the Guttmacher Institute, a leading reproductive health research organisation, approximately 3.7 million unintended pregnancies occur annually in Pakistan, with 61pc (2.2 million) resulting in induced abortions.
The consequences of unintended pregnancies are severe, often leading to unsafe medical procedures and increased financial strain on families. Expanding access to modern contraceptives is crucial in addressing these challenges.
Khurram Mirza, Country Commercial Lead of Bayer Pakistan’s Pharmaceutical Division, highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating: "Our collaboration with AMAN on WCD aligns with Bayer’s global mission, ‘Health for All, Hunger for None’, and reflects our ongoing commitment to women’s healthcare. As a global leader in this field, Bayer offers a comprehensive range of contraceptive options, as well as treatments for menopause and gynaecological conditions.”
By 2030, Bayer aims to provide 100 million women in low- and middle-income countries with access to family planning through capacity-building initiatives and affordable contraceptive supplies, he added.
Prof Dr Sadiah Ahsan Pal, Vice President of AMAN, stressed the pivotal role of healthcare professionals in promoting family planning. “Family planning is Pakistan’s foremost health priority and a key factor in national progress. Every healthcare worker—from doctors to midwives—plays a crucial role in shaping the future health of families. By counselling patients on family planning and helping them make informed decisions, we contribute to the nation’s overall wellbeing.”
Both Bayer Pakistan and AMAN are optimistic that this initiative will spark meaningful conversations within the healthcare community, ultimately increasing access to modern contraceptive methods and improving the health and wellbeing of women and families across Pakistan.