In Sri Lanka, about 360,000 women become pregnant every year. One out of three of these pregnancies
are estimated to be unplanned pregnancies according to the United Nations Fund For Population Activities (UNFPA).. When a pregnancy is unplanned or unintended, it can be detrimental to the woman and her family, including the expected child and other children, as well as to the health system and society at large.
In 2017, about 326,000 live births took place in Sri Lanka. and 127 maternal deaths being reported in this year. Out of these maternal deaths, 28 mothers died due to the consequences of having an unplanned pregnancy. In this same year, the number of stillbirths reported was 1,770 .UNFPA has stressed.
. Every woman has the basic human right to decide whether, when and with whom to have children. This right was reaffirmed in 1994 in Cairo at the landmark International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), where 179 governments – including Sri Lanka – agreed that sexual and reproductive health and women’s empowerment are intertwined, and are at the heart of sustainable development.
At the Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) facilitated a dialogue with Religious Leaders, Parliamentarians, Healthcare Professionals, Legislators, Civil Society, and the Media, at Hotel Galadari last Saturday (27) to provide a platform for open discussion and to dispel myths and misconceptions around family planning.
Dr. Kapila Jayaratne, Secretary of SLMA and Consultant Community Medicine, said; “Each year, about 360,000 women become pregnant. One out of three pregnancies is an unplanned pregnancy that might cause mental stress and high costs for the mothers and the families”.
In 2017, about 326,000 live births took place in Sri Lanka. and 127 maternal deaths being reported in this year. Out of these maternal deaths, 28 mothers died due to the consequences of having an unplanned pregnancy. In this same year, the number of stillbirths reported was 1,770 .UNFPA has stressed.
. Every woman has the basic human right to decide whether, when and with whom to have children. This right was reaffirmed in 1994 in Cairo at the landmark International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), where 179 governments – including Sri Lanka – agreed that sexual and reproductive health and women’s empowerment are intertwined, and are at the heart of sustainable development.
At the Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) facilitated a dialogue with Religious Leaders, Parliamentarians, Healthcare Professionals, Legislators, Civil Society, and the Media, at Hotel Galadari last Saturday (27) to provide a platform for open discussion and to dispel myths and misconceptions around family planning.
Dr. Kapila Jayaratne, Secretary of SLMA and Consultant Community Medicine, said; “Each year, about 360,000 women become pregnant. One out of three pregnancies is an unplanned pregnancy that might cause mental stress and high costs for the mothers and the families”.
Speaking at the session, Ms. Madusha Dissanayake, Assistant Representative of UNFPA Sri Lanka highlighted; “Family planning saves lives. It can prevent unwanted pregnancies and avert unsafe abortions.
Dr. Anula Wijesundere, President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association noted,“There are many misconceptions around family planning. It must be understood that it is not about population control. Family planning is about empowering women and giving them the choice .
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