World Health Day 2025: Shahbaz Sharif Renews Pledge for Maternal, Newborn, and Universal Healthcare
- Abeera Marium Siddiqui
- April 7, 2025
- 3:59 pm
- 37
- Trending
World Health Day 2025 arrives with a strong message: “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.” PM Shahbaz Sharif steps forward to reaffirm his commitment to better healthcare for all Pakistanis, especially mothers and newborns. He emphasizes the need for quality healthcare systems. However, big challenges still hold Pakistan back.
Maternal and Newborn Health: A Key Focus
Pakistan makes strides in maternal and child health. For example, maternal deaths drop 40% from 2000 to 2023, thanks to improved access to services. Yet, problems remain. The maternal mortality ratio stands at 154.2 deaths per 100,000 live births. Neonatal mortality hits 38.8 deaths per 1,000 live births, according to the Healthy Newborn Network. PM Sharif says, “We’ve got a long way to go.”
Globally, the numbers shock. About 300,000 women die yearly from pregnancy issues. Over 2 million newborns pass away in their first month. Another 2 million are stillborn. That’s a preventable death every seven seconds. The World Health Organization (WHO) launches a year-long campaign on World Health Day 2025 to fix this. It pushes for quick action.
Sharif’s Plan: Building Stronger Healthcare
Sharif calls for a better healthcare system. He looks beyond just medical solutions. “Social issues need attention too,” he insists. His strategy includes modern tech and public-private partnerships. Plus, he focuses on education, nutrition, and cleaner environments. “We want everyone to get affordable care when they need it,” he adds.
For instance, digital tools and smart policies make the list. These aim to help far-off areas like villages. Community involvement matters too. Sharif pushes for quality clinics, trained staff, and safe medicines everywhere. On World Health Day 2025, he highlights preventive care and equal access to reduce health gaps.
Challenges at Home and Abroad
Worldwide, the WHO flags risks. Most countries fall short of the UN’s 2030 maternal health goals. Aid budget cuts could undo years of progress. In Pakistan, the picture looks tougher. Over 40% of kids under five face stunting, worse than South Asia’s 31% average, says the World Bank. Polio sticks around, with six cases in 2025 after 74 last year.
Locally, rural areas like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa struggle. Many lack clean water, good food, and proper health centers. Untrained staff and few medicines make things worse. Women and kids suffer most. Meanwhile, cities see obesity rise due to fast food. Rural kids face malnutrition. This mix needs urgent fixes.
Mental Health: A Growing Concern
Mental health becomes a quiet crisis. Stress, anxiety, and depression grow, especially among young people. Awareness stays low. Services are hard to find. Pakistan lacks enough trained psychologists. Stigma stops many from seeking help. On World Health Day 2025, the WHO campaign also stresses emotional wellbeing. It calls for better support for midwives, nurses, and frontline workers.
Health for All: Still Far Off?
The WHO’s “Health for All” idea inspires hope. But Pakistan faces tough realities. Poor sanitation causes diseases like cholera and typhoid. Rural communities miss out on basic facilities. Sharif’s plan ties healthcare to education and governance. Still, experts say rural areas need more funds.
Small steps can help. Experts recommend 30 minutes of daily exercise, healthy eating, and stress-relief like meditation. Good sleep lifts wellbeing too. But words alone won’t do it. Leaders, organizations, and citizens must work together for change.
On World Health Day 2025, PM Shahbaz Sharif renews Pakistan’s healthcare promise. His words spark a call to action. The path ahead seems hard, but the focus on mothers, newborns, and equal access offers hope.
