Saving Lives at Risk: Struggles Faced by Lady Health Workers in Pakistan
In Pakistan, the Lady Health Workers Programme was introduced in 1994 to provide essential healthcare services to women and newborns in rural areas, aiming to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. Each Lady Health Worker (LHW) was tasked with offering at-home consultations on family planning, prenatal care, childbirth, and postnatal care to married women in their communities. However, recent challenges have emerged, threatening the effectiveness of this program.
Unforeseen Consequences: LHW’s Distracted from Obstetric Duties
Following the outbreak of Covid-19, the government redirected the services of LHW’s towards vaccination campaigns for various diseases, including coronavirus, measles, typhoid, pneumonia, polio, and awareness activities for dengue. This shift in focus has deprived pregnant women and their unborn babies of dedicated obstetric care, leading to multiple health complications and tragic outcomes.
Sakina Bibi, a villager from Lahore, shared the heartbreaking story of losing her grandchild due to childbirth complications. She emphasized the importance of timely and consistent visits from LHWs during her daughter’s pregnancy, highlighting the critical role these workers play in ensuring maternal and infant health in underserved areas.
Systematic Neglect: LHWs Struggling Amidst Increasing Responsibilities
Halima Laghari Zulqarnain, Central President of the Sindh Lady Health Workers and Employees Association, expressed concern over the provincial health department’s failure to prioritize the primary duties of LHWs. She emphasized that the workers’ focus on vaccination campaigns has overshadowed their crucial role in providing essential healthcare to mothers and newborns, leading to long-term health repercussions.
Ayesha Khan, President of the Lady Health Workers Association, highlighted the impact of systematic neglect on community healthcare in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, where maternal and child health remains a pressing concern. She stressed the need for adequate support and resources to address high maternal and infant mortality rates in the region.
Challenges and Solutions: Ensuring Effective Healthcare Delivery
Dr. Sadia Usman, a gynaecologist, underscored the importance of early marriages and effective prenatal counseling in reducing infant and maternal mortality rates. She emphasized the critical role of LHWs in providing essential healthcare services to rural communities and called for increased support to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
Dr. Naveed Akbar Hotiana, a pediatrician, highlighted the lack of essential facilities for premature babies in remote areas, leading to increased mortality rates. He emphasized the need to make LHWs more active in their duties to reduce maternal and child mortality significantly.
Rukhsana Bibi, a LHW, shared the challenges she faces in her role, including meager salaries, heavy workloads, and delays in payment. She emphasized the need for greater support from the government to ensure the well-being of LHWs and improve healthcare delivery to underserved communities.
In conclusion, the struggles faced by LHWs in Pakistan underscore the urgent need for increased support, resources, and recognition of their vital role in ensuring maternal and infant health. Addressing these challenges is crucial to reducing maternal and child mortality rates and improving healthcare outcomes for vulnerable populations across the country.
