The Costs and Benefits of Investing in Sexual and Reproductive Health in Pakistan

Sabahat Hussain , Population Council

This paper examines the monetary costs and expected benefits of expanding contraceptive provision and use in Pakistan. Though the benefits are wide-ranging, this paper will report on potential reductions in unsafe abortions as well the expected declines in maternal and infant mortality and morbidity due to unintended pregnancies. It will also estimate benefits in fiscal savings to the health sector. This study models these costs and benefits under four different scenarios, the first being under the current level of contraceptive use. The three other models are hypothetical scenarios that estimates costs and benefits if (a) no contraceptive services were provided; (b) if 50% of the current unmet need for contraception were satisfied; and (c) if all current unmet need for contraception was satisfied. All results will be stratified by geographic region and wealth status. It is expected to find significant benefits to the county as the level of contraceptive use expands.

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 Presented in Session P2. Poster Session Ageing, Health and Mortality