How NGOs in Pakistan Are Transforming Mother & Child Health: Success Stories

In rural areas of Pakistan, where medical facilities are scarce, access to healthcare is particularly problematic. About 70% of the world's population resides in rural areas, where there is a dearth of healthcare facilities and an uptick in avoidable illnesses and deaths, according to the World Health Organization. As a result, numerousnon-governmental organizations in Pakistan focused on healthcare are making strides to meet the needs of these neglected communities, closing the healthcare gap, and enhancing people's health.

Mother and child health in Pakistan is a major concern, as the country has higher mortality rates than its peers, especially in neglected, outlying, and rural areas where medical professionals are in short supply and the healthcare system is severely lacking. NGOs have intervened, but their efforts fall short of meeting all of the system's requirements.

Many initiatives sponsored bycare child care charity organizations rely significantly on donors who donate for mothers care and child care , therefore securing and maintaining adequate funding is a major concern. There must be immediate involvement and support from the government for these programs to be successfully expanded nationwide. Additionally, although it's commendable that the baby made it through the first year, there is insufficient data on how well children perform in school or how their health evolves over time, so we are uncertain about what happens after that.

Furthermore, low rates of exclusive breastfeeding demonstrate that behavior change within communities is progressing slowly, hindered by existing cultural and social constraints. Finally, gender, urban-rural, and socioeconomic barriers all contribute to unequal access to mother and child health services, which in turn undermines healthcare equity.

Women and children can receive free medical care at these locations, which are run by the Saylani Welfare Trust. They eliminate financial obstacles for disadvantaged families, staffed with licensed doctors, and they drastically reduce the likelihood of health problems during pregnancy and delivery.

International non-governmental organizations in Pakistan are revolutionizing MCH services for rural residents. Addressing pressing concerns such as hunger and limited access to medical professionals, these groups are establishing specialized centers and launching community-based programs. Through increased institutional deliveries and improved health knowledge among women, the PAIMAN project has significantly reduced neonatal and perinatal mortality rates by improving skilled birth attendance, antenatal visits, and postnatal care.

Sadia and other rural mothers like her are greatly aided by Nutrition International's NourishMaa initiative, which promotes maternal health via educating and supporting mothers with proper nutrition. The initiative has greatly improved maternal healthcare delivery by training over 2,800 healthcare personnel and numerous frontline workers.

By sending community health workers to remote communities, the "Every Pregnancy Counts" program of the HANDS Welfare Foundation raises awareness about the importance of safe pregnancies, family planning, and good nutrition. The program partners with organizations such as UNICEF and USAID, which contribute resources, expertise, and support to strengthen initiatives that promote safe maternity care and reduce threats to the health of mothers and their newborns.

The International Foundation for Mother & Child Health and Aga Khan Foundation are among the organizations that work to improve maternity healthcare infrastructure in low-income areas and train community midwives, enabling more people in these areas to access medical treatment when needed.

Taken as a whole, these programs demonstrate how nutrition, safe childbirth, and postnatal support can help mothers and their babies receive the care they need in a timely manner. Suchcare, child care charity organizations, and initiatives are vital if Pakistan is to achieve substantial progress in lowering its rates of maternal and child mortality.

1. Fighting Malnutrition: Severe Acute Malnutrition is one of the main reasons why children die as young as one year old. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), such as the People's Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI), collaborate with national and international partners to establish Nutrition Stabilization Centers (NSCs) and Outpatient Therapeutic Programs (OTPs). These partnerships are key to the programs' efficacy, as demonstrated by success stories such as the recovery of newborns Sumera and Zohaib. Health center programs, such as Kitchen Gardening, also help families meet their nutritional needs in the long run by teaching them to grow their own food.

2. Improving Access to Skilled Birth Attendance: Lady Health Workers (LHWs) and Community Midwives (CMWs) are trained to improve healthcare access for mothers. Community-based initiatives, such as the PAIMAN Project, have demonstrated increased skilled birth attendance and lower rates of neonatal and perinatal mortality. Although user fees and access pose challenges, government contracts with NGOs have enhanced healthcare management and quality. Donor support is key to sustaining these programs.

3. Hybrid Family and Child Welfare: NGOs in Pakistan promote holistic family welfare by helping single mothers with things like health counseling and economic empowerment. Establishing pediatric emergency rooms and clinics at public hospitals is a primary goal of the ChildLife Foundation, which aims to improve access to timely treatment for very ill children.