Providing Healthcare in Pakistan Includes Spreading Awareness

In conservative and less educated societies it is not surprising to hear about misconceptions people have when it comes to hospitals and doctors. This is even more common when it comes to women. Women are often not allowed to leave home without male supervision, and it is difficult for them to find any basic facilities for healthy living.

Women face even more complications during pregnancy and birth. The loss of a child while given birth or during pregnancy is far too common. There is a dire need in these communities for proper healthcare and medical supervision.

Fatwarani is a 33-year old woman living in the village of Bakri Banda in Mardan. Her husband is a rickshaw driver, and she is a housewife. While making a living is hard for her husband, they are generally a lower middle-class family.

Fatwarani has a young child who is severely ill and suffers fits. Her second child passed away during labor. She admits to her own fears and perceptions when it comes to doctors and hospitals. She says it is because of these fears that she hesitated to get regular checkups and gave birth to her first child at home.

HDF has been in Fatwarani’s village for ten years, and when an HDF Community Health Worker learned about Fatwarani, she started paying regular visits to her home in order to monitor her and her young child’s health. Because of this personal treatment, Fatwarani was able to overcome her fears and started getting regular antenatal checkups and ultrasounds from the local Community Health Center.

“Because of HDF, my baby is alive and healthy. We are very thankful for HDF and the Community Health Center.” Fatwarani

Fatwarani and her child are living healthy lives, and she has gained a new awareness of how important it is to have proper medical care for her family. It is important for everyone in these communities to have access and trust in healthcare centers. Thanks to donors like you, HDF is having success educating women like Fatwarani and more families are living healthier lives.