22/12/2025
PHC hosts webinar on supporting data-driven interventions in MNCH
Experts emphasise evidence-based solutions to improve healthcare outcomes
Effective policy decisions and interventions for maternal, neonatal and child health (MNCH) depend on robust data and intersectoral collaboration despite challenges of high maternal and neonatal mortality rates, delayed care-seeking, weak referral systems, a limited skilled workforce and socio-cultural barriers that hinder access to quality healthcare.
Speakers observed this during a webinar on supporting data-driven interventions in MNCH through peer learning and collaboration, hosted by the Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC). Expert-led sessions covered a wide range of MNCH themes, including maternal healthcare utilisation, community-level determinants of maternal and neonatal mortality, integrated approaches to maternal mortality reduction, the role of family physicians, neonatal survival strategies, and emerging challenges such as antimicrobial resistance affecting child survival. They proposed a range of solutions, including strengthening emergency obstetric and newborn care, expanding skilled birth attendance, implementing maternal death surveillance and response mechanisms, empowering family physicians and adopting integrated, evidence-based strategies to address these issues. Emerging concerns, such as the impact of antimicrobial resistance on child survival and the need for robust data systems and sustained investment in maternal and child health services, were also addressed. Commissioner PHC Prof Dr Mahmood Shoukat chaired the session, while Additional Director Monitoring, Evaluation and Quality Assurance PHC Dr Huma Rasheed moderated the programme. Representatives from the UNICEF, Director General of Health Services Punjab and the Institute of Public Health also attended the moot.
In his opening remarks, Chief Executive Officer PHC Dr Muhammad Saqib Aziz, emphasised the importance of leveraging reliable data and intersectoral collaboration to guide effective MNCH interventions and policy decisions. High mortality rates, he stressed, point to gaps in service delivery, access, and the quality of care, which can only be addressed through evidence-based planning and targeted investments. His presentation reviewed Punjab’s progress in strengthening health systems, citing successful data-led initiatives such as EPI, DHIS and digital reporting platforms. The CEO also outlined PHC’s regulatory role in MNCH, including integrating maternal and child health standards across healthcare facilities, training healthcare providers and introducing mechanisms for mortality self-reporting. Drawing on reported data, he identified trends in obstetric and neonatal outcomes and highlighted concerns about non-medically indicated caesarean sections.
Vice-Chancellor Nishtar Medical University Prof Dr Mehnaz Khakwani highlighted the need for data-driven maternal health interventions to reduce maternal mortality in South Punjab. She mentioned that despite a decline in Pakistan’s maternal mortality ratio from 276 to 155 per 100,000 live births, the rate remained unacceptably high. Key challenges include delayed care-seeking, weak referral systems, a limited skilled workforce and socio-cultural barriers. She emphasised strengthening emergency obstetric care, improving antenatal coverage, expanding skilled birth attendance and implementing maternal death surveillance and response (MPDSR). Prof Dr Muhammad Tayyab highlighted the pivotal role of family physicians in reducing maternal mortality through early identification, continuity of care and timely referrals. Maternal deaths, primarily caused by haemorrhage, hypertension, infection, unsafe abortion and delays in decision-making, transport and care, remain preventable. He emphasised structured antenatal assessment, identification of high-risk pregnancies, adherence to clinical guidelines, and alignment with the PHC standards.
Prof Dr Robina Sohail talked about maternal mortality reduction initiatives in Pakistan. She highlighted that, despite progress, maternal mortality remains a major public health challenge, with 155 deaths per 100,000 live births and an estimated 27 maternal deaths daily. While Pakistan has reduced maternal mortality from 276 in 2006, it remains off track to achieve the SDG target of 70 by 2030. She emphasised expanding skilled birth attendance, strengthening emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) services, implementing MPDSR and adopting integrated, data-driven strategies to save maternal lives.
Prof Dr Khawaja Ahmad Irfan Waheed, while speaking on the state of newborn health in Pakistan, highlighted the country’s persistently high neonatal mortality rate of 38 deaths per 1,000 live births, with newborn deaths accounting for 65% of under-five mortality. Most neonatal deaths occur within the first week of life and are preventable through timely, low-cost interventions. He stressed that achieving the SDG neonatal targets requires accelerated progress, robust data systems and sustained investment in maternal-newborn health services.
Prof Mahmood Shoukat concluded the session, underlining the need to move away from reinventing the wheel and to think bigger, especially amid the explosive population growth. He reiterated the Commission’s commitment to fostering knowledge exchange and promoting data-driven healthcare governance. Director Clinical Governance PHC Dr Mushtaq Ahmed thanked the speakers and participants. The webinar, which went beyond a 1,000 viewerships, also invited abstract submissions, encouraging healthcare professionals and researchers to contribute evidence-based insights for future scientific engagements.
