ISLAMABAD - While urging to sensitise masses regarding challenges faced by population explosion, Federal Minister for Population Welfare Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has said around 188,000 women die annually during pregnancy due to the non-availability of proper facilities. Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, the Minister said that according to the recommendations of the Implementation Committee of the 18th Amendment and to fulfil the commitment of the Government, the Ministry of Population Welfare has been devolved. She said that the Government was committed to sensitising and educating masses to solve the problem for betterment and development of the country. We have devolved the functions of the Ministry but the vision and the commitment cannot be dissolved, she added. While briefing about the two years achievements of the Ministry of Population Welfare, the Minister said population growth rate couldnt be checked without solving the issue of poverty. Keeping in view the importance of the issue she said, We have introduced the Poverty Reduction Plan and Multipurpose Centres in the constituencies of different MNAs. Through these centres they would provide vocational training and support to the women to ensure their economic uplift and to enable them to share the economic burden of their family. While talking about the mother and child health related issues, the Minister said that the provision of the proper healthcare facilities to the women especially those living in far-flung areas is important as around 188,000 women die annually during pregnancy due to the non-availability of proper facilities. We have focused on the issue and are trying to solve this issue by providing safe Mother Homes Centre for the rural women, Dr Firdous said. To solve the population welfare issue they need to change the mindset and behaviours of the people and for this they have engaged Ulema and Khateebs in our population programmes, she said adding, for the purpose they introduced and started Imam and Khateebs training programme. Initially they have targeted 47,000 villages and will further extend the programmes in the other areas, she said.