Pakistan is the 6th largest country of the world by population with a major portion living in rural areas. Despite the government setting healthcare as one of its primary objectives, the average spending on health is below 3% of the total allocated budget over the past 20 years. Health facilities for the rural poor in the present state are in total disarray.
Most private organizations do not find it financially viable to set up health care services in rural villages due to several reasons. Greater distances, lack of proper road networks and low population densities discourage the private sector in investing in rural healthcare.
Villages in the outskirts of Karachi and interior Sindh are the prime example of such rural areas. These villages face serious health challenges with infectious diseases such as gastrointestinal disorder, pulmonary tuberculosis, malaria and diarrhea being very common. Moreover, malnutrition of children is another alarming problem.
HOPE - A Health NGO in Pakistan has been active in Pakistan since 1997, under the dynamic leadership of Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla-Child Specialist in Karachi. It strives to improve the health and educational disparity of the deprived community in the country.
Earlier this week, HOPE founder, Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla, presided over a signing ceremony for renewal of HOPE's Mobile Health Unit (MHU) contract with Asia Petroleum. HOPE has been a partner with Asia Petroleum since 11 years.
HOPE operates two Mobile Health Units which serves 30 villages on the outskirts of Karachi. Doctors from Karachi staff these Mobile Health on a rotational basis. The doctors set up “clinics” in the houses of community volunteers and treat the underserved population, mainly women and children. Medicines and treatments are provided free of charge to over 80,000 patients per year.
HOPE - An NGO in Pakistan strives to improve the disastrous health care crisis all over Pakistan. The setting up of these MHUs helps move towards that goal, 26 villages at a time. HOPE stresses very strongly that only setting up of treatment facilities will not solve the problem. Preventive healthcare methods and practices need to be adopted by both the rural and urban population in order for a healthy society to develop within the country.
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