20/08/2025

Establishment of Punjab Family Planning Partners Coordination Forum

Establishment of Punjab Family Planning Partners Coordination Forum

The Department of Health and Population has formally launched the Punjab Family Planning Partners Coordination Forum.

A special ceremony was held at a local hotel to mark the establishment of the forum, with Punjab Minister for Health and Population, Khawaja Imran Nazeer, attending as the chief guest.

Director General Health, Dr. Khalil, Director General Population, Captain (R) Aurangzeb Haider, Dr. Captain (R) Usman, and other senior officials were also present.

Representatives from the World Bank, JICA, and various NGOs participated in the event. Dr. Aziz from Greenstar also shared his views during the forum.

Provincial Minister Khawaja Imran Nazeer said the formation of this forum marks a significant step forward towards enhanced collaboration and improved service delivery. He added that the forum would play a pivotal role in harmonizing public-private partnership initiatives.

He further stated that the forum would provide a joint platform to make family planning services more effective. “Without achieving balance between population growth and resources, the dream of sustainable development cannot be realized,” he emphasized.

The minister underscored the importance of adopting a joint strategy to ensure the effectiveness of family planning programs.

Participants of the forum also highlighted the remarkable progress made under the Punjab Family Planning Program.

Minister Khawaja Imran Nazeer mentioned that the introduction of an IT-based information system would bring improvements in service delivery. He also noted that Maryam Nawaz Community Health Inspectors, working at the union council level, could ensure complete coverage of services.

He revealed that through the performance-based E-Voucher Scheme, access has already been extended to over 140,000 beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Program.

He stressed that alongside media and advocacy workshops, adopting non-traditional awareness campaigns can help bring about positive changes in social behavior.

The minister added that Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics are providing citizens with comprehensive healthcare facilities along with easy access to family planning methods.

The Department of Health and Population, along with development partners, also discussed strategies to strengthen cooperation under the newly established forum.