Welfare Impact of the Lady Health Workers Programme in Pakistan

Abstract

With the year 2015 fast approaching, Pakistan is not likely to achieve most of the health targets set in the Millennium Development Goals [Pakistan (2010)]. High levels of child and maternal mortality and child malnutrition are among the major health challenges facing the country. Along with this enhanced vulnerability for children and women there is also an economic divide in the society because these health challenges are more profound for the poor segment of the population than for the better off. Another divide is between the rural and urban populations due to concentration of health facilities in urban centres of the country. The high cost of dealing with health issues adversely affects the poor and rural population, lowering their productivity and limiting their lifetime achievements. Without substantially improved health outcomes it is impossible to break out of the cycle of poverty [OECD (2003)].

The influence of social and cultural practices on maternal mortality: a qualitative study from South Punjab, Pakistan

“…LHWs bring health services to the doorsteps of under-served and marginalized sections of society [ 18 ]. Therefore, LHWs are the community health workers who are most likely to provide healthcare information, including awareness of maternal health issues [ 19 ]. The list of LHWs within all four districts was obtained from the health department and contacts were made.…”

National program for family planning and primary health care Pakistan: a SWOT analysis

“…Recently there have been delays in paying salaries to LHWs across the country. Widespread protests and demonstrations by LHWs have attracted media coverage, which is not good for the image of the program; and motivation of the present and prospective workforce [ 17 ]. Moreover, the salary is still called stipend not progressive like other jobs.…”

Satisfaction in Delivering Maternal and Neonatal Health Services During a Pandemic: Recommendations for Infection Preparedness and Response Protocols and Employee Support for Community Health Workers 

“…Programme for Family Planning and Primary Health Care commonly referred to as the Lady Health Workers program in 1994 which has successfully deployed over 110,000 CMWs across disadvantaged communities across Pakistan (Farooq & Arif, 2014).…”