Improving Access to Healthcare services in remote areas of Sindh

Village Muhammad Ali Potro located in UC Kothi, District Sujawal is a small village of 50 households and a population of 300 people including young children. The village community grapples with several challenges including limited access to basic services such as health, clean drinking water, education and prevalence of vaccine preventable diseases.

MERF’s outreach team was able to reach this remote village through their mobile services and initiated community based health interventions. The IYCF Counselor sensitized the village community about the importance of early breastfeeding, timely vaccination of children and importance of seeking antenatal care for ensuring safe deliveries for pregnant women. As a result of this intervention 9 children under the age of 2 years were successfully vaccinated.

During the visit, a villager informed team about Noor Khatoon, a pregnant woman in urgent need of medical attention.37-years-old Noor Khatoon, wife of Gul Muhammad Potro, was experiencing severe complications such as high blood pressure and nausea due to anaemia. Her situation was dire, complicated by the fact that there was no trained birth attendant in the village. Noor’s husband, Gul Muhammad, a poor laborer, could not afford to take his wife to a nearby health facility.

Upon meeting Noor Khatoon, the IYCF Counselor  Fozia Qambrani assessed her condition and immediately recognized the need for specialized care. She counseled Noor and her husband to seek treatment at THQ Jati. The villagers, showing incredible solidarity, pooled their resources to hire a cab for Noor’s transportation to THQ Jati.

THQ Hospital Jati, managed by MERF with support of UNICEF, has trained medical staff, equipment, and medications and is providing round the clock emergency services to the local population.

Noor Khatoon received comprehensive care at THQ Jati. Thanks to the dedicated Women Medical Officer Dr. Komal Rani and her team, Noor delivered a healthy baby boy. Additionally, she was provided with a newborn baby kit, which included clothes, a blanket, and wrapping sheet for the newborn.

“Previously, healthcare was not given much attention and was heavily influenced by cultural beliefs. Now, we are raising awareness about critical maternal and child health issues, and community members bring their children to us,” says IYCF Counselor Fozia Qambrani.

MERF, with support of UNICEF, is providing standardized Primary Health Care (PHC) services at community and health facility level to targeted population of selected UCs of Thatta and Sujawal, Sindh. The aim is to reduce maternal and under five morbidities, mortalities, and disabilities with improved access to life saving health services.