International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Community-based interventions to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity in rural Sindh, Pakistan 

This project is located in Taluka (sub-district) Mirpur Sakro in Thatta District. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Pakistan (SOGP), with the aim of improving women’s access to healthcare, has been upgrading three facilities in this region. The Basic Health Unit (BHU) in Gariwah provides antenatal care; the Reproductive Health Centre for Basic Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (RHC) in Gharo offers basic emergency obstetric care; and the Sheikh Zayed Medical Centre (SZMC) in Mirpur Sarko provides comprehensive emergency obstetric care. SOGP has been able to ensure essential equipment, supplies and drugs, provide in-service training, ensure the presence of skilled attendants and improve referral mechanisms. The project has also been working at the community level, increasing awareness and demand of maternal health services.  

Key successes:

• The training of 10 local young women as community midwives. It is expected that these women will stay in their community and continue providing care once the project is over and eventually replace traditional birth attendants. 
• Implementation of a health management information system at the three project sites. 
• Successful lobbying with government to appoint lady medical officers at SZMC and another at BHU Ghari Wah.
• Availability of 24-hour comprehensive emergency obstetric care and demonstration of increased utilisation of maternal health services over the period of the project. 

Twinned country association: Sweden

Conclusion date: 30 June 2010 

Community awareness

Dr Razia Korejo (Project director) in the community