According to Atabe News, the Secretariat of the Population Growth Working Group of Razavi Karamat Foundation has released a report detailing its activities over the past five years. Prepared to present the foundation’s record of achievements in the field of population growth, the report highlights its key programs under two main areas: “promoting” and “facilitating” childbearing.

Ali Akbar Rouhi Golkhatami, Secretary of the Population Growth Working Group of Razavi Karamat Foundation, commented on the publication of the report, stating: “Recently prepared for the Office of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, this report presents the Secretariat’s activities over the past five years in the field of population growth, including infrastructure development, cultural, educational, medical and support programs.”

He added that, in line with the directives of the respected Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi and with the aim of contributing to solutions for the challenge of declining population, numerous programs have been implemented over the past five years in cooperation with civil society organizations, specialized institutions and activists in this field.

Rouhi Golkhatami continued that empowering human resources, raising public awareness, expanding infertility treatment services, supporting families and strengthening family foundations have been among the Secretariat’s main areas of activity during this period.

Establishing Specialized Population Growth Networks

Referring to efforts to train and organize community-based personnel, the Secretary of the Population Growth Working Group said: “During this period, the National Network of Population Growth Facilitators was established, bringing together 4,000 activists, trainers and consultants across the country.”

He added that 3,000 consultants, midwives and healthcare specialists were also trained through the national “Naji” network to help prevent abortion. In addition, more than 50 training courses were held for community health workers, university professors, preachers and healthcare personnel.

Producing Cultural Content to Protect Unborn Life

Referring to the Secretariat’s cultural and media activities, Rouhi stated that producing 10 short films and promotional teasers under the title “Hast-o-Nist” (To Be or Not to Be), addressing the harms of abortion, producing two music videos in cooperation with the “Nafas” Center, and participating in the production of the documentary “Nafas” were among the initiatives undertaken in this field.

He added that screening the documentary “Nafas” in Neyshabur also led to a threefold increase in decisions to refrain from abortion, demonstrating the impact of cultural and awareness-raising activities in this area.

Holding National Population Events

The Secretary of the Population Growth Working Group of Razavi Karamat Foundation identified the first national meeting of intermediary population and childbearing networks, attended by representatives from 23 provinces, the national “Splendor of Motherhood” event, and the “In the Embrace of Heaven” conference as other major programs organized by the Secretariat.

Expanding Infertility Treatment Services and Supporting Families

Referring to the development of infertility treatment infrastructure, Rouhi Golkhatami said: “The Boshra Infertility Treatment Center at Razavi Hospital, the largest specialized center of its kind in eastern Iran, has the capacity to receive 2,000 couples annually. To date, it has recorded 46,500 inpatient admissions and helped make the birth of 986 babies possible.”

He added that the Milad Center at Imam Reza (AS) Hospital, which was completed with the support of the respected Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi, has an annual capacity to receive 1,700 couples.

The Secretary of the Population Growth Working Group further stated that other support initiatives included implementing the national “Yasna” program to provide livelihood assistance to pregnant mothers at risk of abortion in eight provinces; covering more than 80,500 mothers and children; providing 300 bridal-dowry packages through the “Hosna” campaign; and allocating 1.5 trillion rials (150 billion tomans) in funding in the Iranian year 1404.

Focusing on Strengthening Family Foundations

Rouhi Golkhatami emphasized that the activities of the Secretariat of the Population Growth Working Group of Razavi Karamat Foundation have been pursued with an approach centered on supporting families, strengthening community-based initiatives and building sustainable capacities to promote a culture of childbearing. He added that these efforts will continue by drawing on specialized and public participation capacities.