Reproductive Health Challenges in Pakistan: Urgent Need for Improved Abortion Care

A new study reveals 66 per 1,000 women in Pakistan undergo abortions, with complications affecting up to 30%. Rural areas face higher risks due to unmet family planning needs. Despite a decrease in complications, significant challenges remain. The government plans to invest in healthcare improvements.

A recent study highlights alarming trends in Pakistan's reproductive health, revealing that 66 out of every 1,000 women aged 15-49 undergo induced abortions, with 21-30% experiencing complications. The report, titled 'Safeguarding Women's Health: Trends, Inequities, and Opportunities in Pakistan's Abortion and Post-Abortion Care Services,' presents data from 2023.

Women in rural areas are disproportionately affected, facing more significant challenges than their urban and wealthier counterparts. An unmet need for family planning, reported by 17.3% of women, contributes to high rates of unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions, according to findings from the Population Council and the Guttmacher Institute.

Although abortion-related complications have decreased from 13.9 per 1,000 women in 2012 to 11.7 per 1,000 in 2023, disparities persist, underscoring ongoing reproductive health challenges. The government, committed to improving healthcare for marginalized women, aims to implement the report's recommendations through investments in infrastructure, capacity building, and referral systems.

(With inputs from agencies.)