The poor state of maternal and child health (MCH) in Pakistan has been of great concern to successive governments and development agencies in general. Despite enormous investments in programs and interventions, the impact on important mortality and morbidity indicators in both variable and slow. In order to move forward it is imperative to understand the various dimensions and determinants of maternal and child health in Pakistan, their relationship with family planning as well as other factors such as macroeconomic issues, poverty, and health system performance. Although there is no scarcity of solid research work in this area, much of the information is disparate and not readily available for informed policy making. This book is the compilation of the background papers and key deliberations of a national consultation on maternal and child health and family planning in Pakistan held under the auspices of the Ministry of Health with support from the United States Agency for International Development. The consultation brought together key national and international experts for several days of deliberation and development of an action plan. It contains a wealth of information on all areas of importance in relation to MCH in Pakistan as well as a summary of the proceedings of the consultation. The papers not only provide a situational analysis but also review the programs and make recommendations for action and research. All have been written by teams of experts in the field and are supplemented by commentaries from leading international experts in the fields of maternal and child health and family planning.
