Health: A plan to improve the demographic characteristics of Abu Kabir center and confront child marriage
Dr. Abla Al-Alfi, Deputy Minister of Health for Population Affairs and Family Development, praised the great efforts made by Al-Sharqiya Governorate in combating the phenomenon of child marriage, in conjunction with national trends to reduce the rates of this phenomenon, noting that the National Population Council has prepared an urgent plan to improve population characteristics and confront Negative phenomena affecting society.
This came during the meeting of the Regional Population Council, which was held with the participation of Engineer Hazem Al-Ashmouni, Governor of Al-Sharqiya, and a number of leaders. The governorate, the Ministry of Health and Population, and the National Population Council.
During the meeting, the Deputy Minister confirmed that the new Personal Status Law will include strict penalties, up to imprisonment and a fine, for all parties involved in child marriage.
Alfi also reviewed the health and population indicators in Sharkia Governorate, explaining that comparing the indicators of the Population Health Survey for the year 2021 with previous indicators shows low birth rates and natural increase, and high rates of use of means of regulation. Family.
The Deputy Minister discussed the need to intensify awareness of health problems resulting from consanguineous marriage, and reduce the rates of unmet need for family planning methods, which contribute to high rates of unplanned pregnancy, stressing the importance of promoting the use of long-acting methods. To improve maternal and child health services, and reduce anemia rates among mothers.
She pointed out that the high rate of women who did not receive family planning advice in the governorate calls for expanding the provision of family counseling room services in units Health care, with a focus on the importance of spacing between pregnancies to improve the health of the mother and child.
Alfi explained that an urgent plan had been prepared within the National Population Strategy, targeting the Abu Kabir Center in Al Sharqiya Governorate, stressing the importance of cooperation between the executive agencies in the governorate. To improve population characteristics by enhancing health care services, developing infrastructure, empowering women socially and economically, and reducing illiteracy rates.
At the end of the meeting, Al-Alfi held a community meeting with representatives of the National Population Council and a number of women. In the governorate, she stressed the need to raise awareness of the importance of breastfeeding and spacing between pregnancies to reduce the possibility of autism, dwarfism, and poor academic achievement among children.
She also noted the need to educate married women about the importance of controlling sugar and blood pressure levels before pregnancy, and following up on anemia. And take folic acid and iron to ensure you have a healthy baby.
