The Swiss Red Cross, in collaboration with the Aga Khan University and their local partner Mother and Child Care Trust, is contributing to the pool of lady health visitors by training and expanding midwifery skills and increasing their number at different levels of healthcare, i.e. village, basic health unit and secondary health provider (the thesil [administrative division] headquarters and district hospital) in rural areas of Dadu district, Sindh province.
By Aradhna Duggal, IFRC Health Communications. Published: 18 May 2015 13:53 CET
Since the 1990s, Pakistan has reduced its maternal mortality ratio by 50 per cent and infant mortality ratio by 30 per cent. However, it still remains off track with regards to meeting targets of Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5. The majority of under-five deaths are due to birth asphyxia, infections, pneumonia, diarrhoea and severe malnutrition. In terms of under-five mortality, it ranks 26 in the world (UNICEF). Pakistan remains one of only three countries in the world with endemic polio.
Multiple disasters such as earthquakes and floods coupled with armed violence has resulted in much damage and destruction to the social infrastructure including health facilities, especially in the tribal and rural areas of Pakistan. This situation has been further exacerbated by a shortage in nurses, paramedics and skilled birth attendants. Furthermore, there are major disparities between urban and rural areas in terms of access to health services. Routine immunization access and coverage in both urban and rural settings, remains a challenge.
Read the complete article at The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies | Pakistan: Building capacity to ensure maternal and child health needs can be met in a sustainable way
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