PSI Executive visits HOPE Hospital

HOPE-an NGO in Pakistan, has been active in Pakistan since 1997, working in the health sector of Pakistan. The organization is spearheaded by the dynamic leadership of Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla-child specialist in Karachi and continuously strives to improve the health and educational disparity of the deprived community in the country.

One of the focal points of HOPE’s work has been the improvement of maternal and child health care services. It has established two(2) Maternal and Child Healthcare (MCH) centres in addition to four (4) secondary care hospitals in Karachi and interior Sindh. These facilities provide maternal health care services like delivery, C-section and neonatal. Moreover, the visiting mothers are also counselled on the importance of family planning.

Family planning is one of the most important components of maternal and child health. Pakistan ranks as the 6th most populous country of the world, with a population of 191.71 million. 41% of the population is under 15 years of age and the contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) is 29% only. A research indicates that the population will rise to 342 million by 2050. The increase in population leads to increase in the economic burden on the country and unless immediate and bold steps are taken, the country’s resources will not be able to keep up with the population growth.

PSI, in affiliation with Greenstar, collaborates with HOPE-a health NGO in Pakistan to work on maternal healthcare and family planning. The Director Global Internal Audit, Elizabeth J. Folsom, of PSI visited HOPE’s secondary care hospital in Zia Colony, Korangi on 30th October 2016 on an exclusive visit to the area. She toured the premises and was briefed about the recent happenings at the hospital. She approved and greatly appreciated the facility and the quality of service being offered. Moreover, she took special interest in the ongoing recent activities of the organization in the field of healthcare.

HOPE-a community development NGO in Pakistan, through its family planning programmes, greatly values various family planning methods. It prints and distributes IEC and print materials highlighting the importance of family planning. Numerous counselling sessions are held for the mothers of the community on a frequent basis. HOPE addresses the cultural barriers that prevent people from using family planning methods in the HOPE hospitals, where family planning programmes have been very successful.