Maternal and Child Health Services in the mountains

Health service delivery in the mountains is an extremely difficult issue. The areas are remote, and roads are no good. Health care facilities are nearly nonexistent.  Maternal deaths are very common due to pregnancy related complications. It is very difficult to take a bleeding, pregnant woman to a health facility down the hill. To address the health issues of mothers and children HOPE- Health NGO in Pakistan decided to set up a Maternal and Child Health Centre in Chikaar, a mountainous town at a height of 5000 feet, nearly two half hours away from the city of Muzaffarabad.

The space for the MCH Centre is being provided by the community on a voluntary basis. The Government of AJK, Health Department is collaborating with HOPE - An NGO in Pakistan towards this end. This health facility will provide the much needed health care in the area. Antenatal Care for pregnant mothers, early referral of precious pregnancies, treatment of anaemia, growth monitoring and nutritional advice for children. Intravenous rehydration for diarrhea cases. Early management of childhood pneumonia, to prevent mortality due to respiratory infections. 

Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla, Child Specialist in Karachi has the vision to set up such MCH Centers throughout the country, so as to provide health care in remote areas where there are no health facilities. The Chikaar MCHC Centre a collaborative effort between HOPE, the local community and the Government of AJK will go a long way in reducing maternal and Child Mortality.