Maternal Newborn and Child Health in Thatta, Pakistan

Описание: 28 September 2010
UNICEF supports 'Maternal Newborn and Child Health' programmes in Thatta, Pakistan

Across Pakistan, the flood waters are finally receding and people are making their way back to what is left of their homes and their devastated lives. Many have spent weeks often months in tent cities and the needs are still immense.

In transitional conditions like these, those who can be most in need are pregnant women and their babies. Recognizing these needs, the Pakistani government, supported by UNICEF, has set up The Maternal Child and Neonatal Health programme. Here in Thatta, three tented MNCH centres have been set up to provide essential and much needed antenatal, perinatal and neonatal care.

Asma Farooq, Lady Health Worker, Thatta
"If there is a pregnant lady in the camp then we go to her and we give her a full check up. We check the cardiac activity of the foetus and we check for foetal movement."

To extend the reach of these services UNICEF is also supporting mobile outreach teams. Each team includes one doctor, one lady health worker and a community midwife. When necessary, the team refers the patient to the nearest hospital, but distances are often long and sometimes there simply isn't enough time for referral.

20 year old Haleema Gafoor experienced this first hand:
Haleema Gafoor, mother
"When the flood waters came and we left our home, I was pregnant and on the road, I was in pain and I didn't know whether I would die or deliver the baby. When we came here in the camp, the doctor here gave me a check-up. And then later I had the baby right here."

The challenges to delivering these essential services will continue to grow in the coming months as more people return home, increasing the geographical spread of the needy. For UNICEF this challenge represents an opportunity to provide life-saving health, nutrition, sanitation and educational services to those who were previously unreached.

This is Anja Baron reporting for UNICEF Television. For more information visit unicef.org. UNITE FOR CHILDREN