Reduce Maternal & Infant Mortality in Pakistan

This is Huma, and her newborn son.

Earlier this year in May, Huma gave birth to her fourth child. Her two excited daughters and son welcomed their baby brother with much zeal and enthusiasm in the family. Huma is enjoying maternal bliss in Village 119-1L, Rahim Yar Khan. Village 119-1L is an HDF-adopted village. HDF has implemented a full servicing health center, schools, and various programs to help community residents improve their quality of life.

Huma gave birth to her healthy baby weighing 6.6 pounds at the HDF Health Center. Previously, due to lack of proper health care facilities, midwives or trained birth attendants used to aid Huma during childbirth. It used to be a daunting experience for her as they lacked the required health care facilities. This time, she was given a hygienic and relaxing environment at the HDF Health Center, which made the painful child bearing experience comforting and soothing for her.  

HDF has recently enhanced the RYK Community Health Center by upgrading the maternal health unit. A fully equipped labor room has been established and an ultrasound machine for prenatal imaging has also been installed.  By providing preventive and curative health services, HDF strives to maintain healthy communities with special emphasis on the wellbeing of mothers and children. 

The reason why HDF health centers lay special importance on maternal health issues is because they are often neglected in rural communities. In just Rahim Yar Khan, 98/1000 live births do not survive delivery, and 43% of women of reproductive age have not been immunized.

There are a total of over 83,000 female beneficiaries of the HDF health program today. All women of reproductive ages receive antenatal and postnatal services in areas that are covered by HDF. Safe maternal health services ensure wellbeing of mothers and children and this leads to an overall healthier society.