Prime Minister James Marape has linked family planning to maternal health and household economic welfare, saying the Government’s proposed national policy will seek to prevent unplanned pregnancies and encourage families to have no more than three children.
Mr Marape made the announcement on Friday, November 6, during a tour of the maternity wing at the newly opened Dr Kaven Memorial Hospital at Palmalmal Station in Pomio, East New Britain.
He said the proposed policy was intended to address the economic pressures faced by rural households while protecting the well-being of mothers across the country.“This is to ensure that there is prevention of unplanned pregnancies and births, and families will be encouraged to have no more than three children,” Mr Marape said.
He said managing the birth rate was important for generating long-term positive economic outcomes for families and protecting mothers’ well-being.The Prime Minister also pointed to the difficulties faced by pregnant women in rural communities, particularly the long distances they must travel to access functional maternal healthcare services.The proposed policy is intended to address these challenges through a national family planning framework.
The Government is expected to introduce the policy in the coming period.The announcement was made during the Prime Minister’s visit to the maternity wing of the newly opened district hospital.
