Peshawar – A detailed briefing on the performance and role of the Regional Training Institutes (RTIs) of the Population Welfare Department was presented to the Special Assistant to the Chief Minister (SACM) for Population Welfare, Tufail Anjum, during a meeting attended by senior officials of the department.
Current Status of RTIs
The meeting was informed that three Regional Training Institutes are currently functional in Peshawar, Abbottabad and Malakand, while a fourth institute is being established in Dera Ismail Khan under the Annual Development Programme (ADP).
Training Programmes and Objectives
Officials briefed the SACM that the primary mission of these institutes is to develop a competent cadre of family planning and reproductive health service providers through high-quality, competency-based training programmes. The RTIs offer a two-year basic training course for Family Welfare Workers (FWWs), open to female candidates who have passed FSc or Matriculation with science subjects. Upon successful completion of the course, trainees are awarded a diploma accredited by the Pakistan Nursing Council, enabling them to seek employment in both public and private sectors as reproductive health and family planning service providers.
Impact on Youth and Female Empowerment
The meeting was told that the programme significantly contributes to youth development and female empowerment by creating employment opportunities for women across the province. Approximately 30 students graduate annually from the Abbottabad institute, 40 from Peshawar and 50 from Malakand.
Advanced Courses and Professional Development
In addition to the basic diploma programme, the institutes also conduct advanced courses that are mandatory for the promotion of Family Welfare Workers within the department. The RTIs further serve as training hubs for refresher and professional development courses for doctors, paramedics and other healthcare personnel from the Population Welfare Department, Health Department and various non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Equitable Access and Admission Process
SACM was informed that districts across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the merged districts, have been linked with specific RTIs to ensure equitable access to training opportunities. Admissions to the basic course are granted strictly on merit, while reserved seats are available for minority communities and persons with disabilities.
Meeting Participants and Details
During the briefing, officials also highlighted the staffing structure, training modules, selection procedures and examination system of the institutes. The meeting was attended by Secretary Population Welfare Dr Aneela Durrani, Director General Population Welfare Abdullah, Project Directors Hidayat and Samiullah, along with other senior officers of the department.
