Islamabad: A survey conducted in Pakistan recently by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has revealed that more than two million abortions are carried out in the country every year, highlighting burgeoning demand for contraception in Pakistan.

According to the findings of the survey, almost all these abortions were clandestine and the health and lives of women were at risk during the procedures.

The survey titled “Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey” (PDHS) further found that, in 2017 alone, an estimated 630,000 Pakistani women were treated for complications resulting from induced abortions, the vast majority of which were performed by unqualified people or involved traditional methods.

While sharing his opinion at the launching ceremony of the survey report, the executive director of the National Institute of Population Studies (NIPS), Pervaiz Ahmad Junejo, said maternal mortality Ratio (MMR) was not included in the survey because of lack of resources.

“However, it has been decided to hold a separate survey on MMR which would be linked with the PDHS, he said adding, “Some of the clusters which were included in the survey could not be covered because of security issues as we did not want to risk the safety of our staff/teams. Most of the clusters were in Balochistan but a few were in other parts of the country.”

NIPS Deputy Project Director Dr Aysha Sheraz said 580 clusters, which had approximately 16,240 households, were selected for the survey across the country.

“But the survey could not be held in 19 clusters because of security and weather conditions. It was a huge success because the survey was completed despite a number of challenges.”

She said as per findings of the survey, on an average each woman in the country gave birth to 3.6 children. The ratio is 2.9 per woman in urban areas and 3.9 children per woman in rural areas.

There was a visible decline in the birth rate as it was 5.4 children per woman in 1990. The birth rate is lowest in Islamabad and highest in Gilgit-Baltistan, she said.

The survey also showed that 26 per cent women wanted the next child within two years and 16 per cent after two years. Similarly, 47 per cent of women did not want more children and the remaining were undecided.

“As many as 34 per cent of women were using any kind of contraceptives. The use of modern contraceptives was highest in Islamabad and lowest in Balochistan. The trend of unmet need for family planning has decreased from 31pc (in 1990) to 17pc. Under-five mortality rate is 74 per 1,000 children and the infant mortality rate is 62 per 1,000 live births. Around 66pc children received all vaccines and only four per cent did not get any vaccine.”

Dr Hassan Mohtashami, a participant speaker drew the attention to the plight of a woman in Pakistan who has to go for abortion.

“It shows that she did not want pregnancy but the Pakistani system failed to provide her the contraceptive. It is not acceptable at all and we need to do something to avoid such pregnancies,” Dr Hassan Mohtashami further said.