Farrukh Naz (Right) with family planning client Uzma, a mother of five who opted for an IUCD after receiving regular counseling sessions.
Gujranwala is Pakistan’s fifth largest city with a population of more than 6 million residents, 40% of whom live in rural areas. The challenges of rapid population growth and limited access to health services are pressing. The Challenge Initiative (TCI), in collaboration with district leadership, has been working to expand family planning services to address these issues.
Their efforts include strengthening the capacity of healthcare staff to implement high-impact interventions and providing technical assistance through TCI coaching. Community health workers (CHWs) also benefit from TCI coaching as demonstrated by Ms. Salma, a Family Welfare Assistant. With TCI’s support, she has mobilized communities to create demand for family planning services to prepare for events like Family Health Days at the Railway Dispensary in Gujranwala.
During one of her door-to-door visits and community counseling sessions, she met Uzma, a young mother of five boys, the youngest just five months old. Uzma had never practiced birth spacing, resulting in severe health issues, including malnutrition and a weakened immune system. Recognizing Uzma’s need for family planning services, Salma broached the issue, only to encounter significant opposition from Uzma’s mother-in-law, who strongly opposed contraception and believed it to be unnatural. She adhered to the traditional view that it is a woman’s duty to bear many children as a blessing to ensure future security. Salma enlisted the help of Facility Manager Farrukh Naz and together they devised a plan to counsel Uzma’s mother-in-law on the health benefits of family planning. Over three consecutive days, they visited the family, addressing concerns and highlighting how family planning could improve Uzma’s health and the overall well-being of her family.
District Population Welfare Officer, Adnan Ashraf, in a family planning counseling session at Railway Dispensary, Gujranwala.
The turning point came at the dispensary’s Family Health Day, where, unexpectedly, Uzma’s mother-in-law accompanied her. Healthcare providers explained various family planning methods in detail, giving Uzma the information and confidence to make her own choice. Ultimately, she opted for an Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD), determined to prioritize her health and the well-being of her family. Uzma’s story illustrates the transformative power of education and access to family planning services, enabling women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of health workers like Farrukh and Salma, women in underserved communities are gaining control over their health and improving their quality of life. Reflecting on this experience, Farrukh shared:
The tools and manuals on family planning counseling provided by TCI, especially those focusing on Postpartum Family Planning, value clarification, unfolding myths and misconceptions have been invaluable. Their availability in local languages equips community health workers with essential information and effective counseling techniques, enabling us to address complex situations and significantly increase the uptake of family planning methods.”
Uzma’s mother-in-law’s change of heart has not only inspired the facility staff but has also had a ripple effect, influencing other mothers in similar situations within their community. Her story is just one of many that highlight the power of informed choices and the ongoing work of TCI-trained CHWs to foster healthier, more empowered communities.
