Unprecedented floods have destroyed many lives across the country, but the tragedy doesn’t end here as hundreds of thousands more waiting to be rescued amidst hunger and water-borne diseases.
At least 6,50,000 pregnant women in the flood-hit regions of Pakistan urgently need care to deal with the unprecedented natural calamity that has left more than 1,300 persons dead and affected over 33 million others, according to an UN agency.
Just in Sindh province, there are more than 70,000 pregnant women among the flood-victims who are expected to give birth next month.
These people need skilled birth attendants, newborn care, and support especially in a country where child mortality ratio is already high.
132 out of every 100,000 women die during pregnancy, according to UN data.
Al-Khidmat Foundation, a local NGO, has been running a relief campaign for flood-affected pregnant women and new-born babies.
“We receive all kind of stuff from people, “a female volunteer told MM News, “The clothes too shabby to wear, are being used for sanitary purposes.”
“Women volunteers better understand the need of these flood-affected women,” Another volunteer said, “If these people don’t get our help now, then when will they get it.”
A medic who was volunteering in camp told this reporter that there are thousands of pregnant women in the affected areas and unhealthy conditions are severely affecting these women.
Stressing that pregnancies and childbirth could not wait for emergencies or natural disasters to be over, she said that a woman and baby are most vulnerable and need utmost care during this hour of crisis that has deluged a third of country.
The volunteers said medicines such as painkiller, ORS and some infection creams are needed.
Shabana Naeem, the lady in charge of Al-Khidmat Foundation, said that we have here a full-fledged health department with male and female doctors from Al-Khidmat Hospital.
Anwar Alam, senior manager of health services at Al-Khidmat Foundation, said that many pregnant women have arrived in Karachi’s medical camps and are being treated at Safura’s medical camp.
“Gynecologists are available in our camp and ultrasound facility is also provided,” he added.
Anwar Alam further said that Al-Khidmat has set up a camp in Gharo, and we are getting help from various pharmaceutical companies, as well as the general public.
We will continue to support flood-victims with health facilities and human resources despite the challenging humanitarian conditions, he added.
