Abstract

Pakistan has the highest rates of maternal mortality in South Asia. From 2000 to 2017, the global maternal mortality rate decreased to 39 %. In the context of South Asia, it has decreased by 59% since the 2000s. Pakistan has also reduced the maternal mortality rate, but there is a difference on the provincial level. The maternal mortality rate is much higher in Balochistan compared to the other provinces. This research is aimed to discuss the supply-side barriers and utilization of maternal healthcare services in the District Gwadar. The Likert scale survey method has been used to collect data from the Healthcare Professionals from hospitals -private and government and the maternal healthcare receiver, that is patient. Semi-structured interviews of healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, and Lab technicians have also been conducted. The respondents included 3 doctors, 2 lab technicians, and 4 nurses. It has been found in this research study that the hospitals in Gwadar district lagged in providing modern maternal healthcare to women due to (a) the lack of staff training, (b) the medicine supply, and (c) the Laboratories. Moreover, the lady health worker system is also not catering to the needs of the women in District Gwadar. It has been recommended in the study that, first, the government should fulfill the supply of medicine in the hospital. Secondly, the government should open laboratories in hospitals. Thirdly, the government should increase the funding of the government hospital, and the allocation of lady health workers in District Gwadar, Balochistan, should be increased. Moreover, the training should be given to the healthcare staff about the maternal healthcare