ISLAMABAD: The Family Planning Spending Assessment Survey (FPSA) 2022-23 shows an 82pc increase in the total family planning spending since 2018 and 16pc increase in financial year 2021-22.

On the other hand, data shows that a major proportion of spending on family planning goes to human resources while spending on demand generation, policy development and other programme-related activities is less.

A key recommendation of the survey stresses the need for to institutionalising the family planning expenditure analysis by involving departments like Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

“There is a need for structural reforms to enhance effectiveness and strategic financing to ensure service delivery to the users who are in need,” survey report stated.

Organised by the Population Council with the support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the national dissemination event brought together secretaries of federal and provincial departments, policymakers, donors and civil society organisations.

Member Social Sector, Ministry of Planning and Development Rafiullah Kakar while addressing the National Dissemination Event of the FPSA said: “Allocating adequate funds for family planning services has long been recognised as a challenge; however, optimising the efficacy of these allocated resources presents an even greater hurdle.

“The FPSA serves as a compass, directing our fiscal policies towards a more comprehensive and impactful family planning strategy,” he said.

Mr Kakar also laid out four main areas in which federal government can play its role, these include setting goals and targets with strategic vision in the light of international commitments, revise fiscal framework, act as thought leader and establish a proper system of monitoring and data collection.

In her welcome remarks, Dr Zeba Sathar, Country Director of the Population Council, highlighted the organisation’s commitment to conducting FPSAs since 2018. By collecting data from various sources, including public sector organisations, NGOs and UN organisations, the survey provides insights into budget allocations, spending trends, and fund distribution across various categories of Family Planning programmes.

She emphasised that the survey’s findings can guide effective resource allocation, planning, budgeting, monitoring, and evaluation. This ensures accountability and the adequate allocation of financial resources for family planning programmes, ultimately leading to improved reproductive health outcomes.

Addressing the participants, Dr Shabana Saleem, Director General of the Population Programme Wing at the Ministry of National Health Services highlighted the unfavourable gap Pakistan faces in population indicators compared to other countries.

Officials from population welfare departments stressed the need to revisit the NFC Award formula and include social indicators like population welfare, mother and child health, and women empowerment. This step would disincentivize provinces from increasing their population to gain economic and political mileage in national resources.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2023