Pakistan

Project Goal:

To improve the health and well-being of those affected by the October 2005 earthquake, with a focus on the 120,000 persons in five union councils of Tehsil Balakot, District Mansehra, Pakistan.

Project Objectives:

• To provide a standard package of primary health care incorporating disease prevention, health promotion and health education
• To improve: a) the coverage and utilization of services by remote village populations; b) access to healthcare for girls and women; c) the standard of health care
• To involve the government and local communities in the health care system and build their capacity to take ownership of the system after completion of the project.
• To involve and train government health workers who wish to work in this area.

There are several direct and indirect beneficiaries:
• The project covers an indirect population of 119,364 people from five union councils including Talhatta, Shohal Moizullah, Garlat, Gari Habibullah and Balakot. The clinic is located near a main road where public transport is available, making the clinic easier to access.
• The clinic site is adjacent to HF’s livelihood program supplying widows with livestock. The close proximity has made administration of both projects easier for HF staff on ground. It also enhances HF reputation in the area and had an impact on the clinic attendance.
• The two LHVs are the only source of gynecological, family planning, maternal and child healthcare in this area. However the community outreach programs revealed the dire need for a fully equipped and staffed MCH center in this community.

3- Month Consolidated Morbidity Report from Oct 2010 to December 2010:

From October 1st 2010 to December 31st 2010, 5,047 patients were diagnosed and treated at the RMF-HF Health Unit Talhatta. During the quarter under review, the figures show that the patients visiting the unit consist of 37 % males and 63 % females. 19% of the overall patients were children.

In this quarter, 244 women came for antenatal visits, 201 women visited the health unit for Gynecological Problems, and 125 women visited the RMF-HF health unit for Family Planning.

Most of the diseases diagnosed and treated result from the weather and living conditions of the patients:

• Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI): 32.3%
• Diarrhea: 12.3 %
• Dyspepsia:8.8 %
• Scabies 4.3 %,
• General body aches and weaknesses: 3.7%
• Urinary Tract Infections: 3.6%
• Hypertension : 6.5%

49 emergency cases were referred to secondary and tertiary care hospitals for further treatment by the mountain ambulance which is medically equipped with Oxygen, emergency first aid box and a full resuscitation kit.

Cases of suspected meningitis (15), acute abdomen (8), burns (11), acute appendicitis (6) and acute jaundice syndrome (9) were less frequent. These cases were subsequently referred to secondary and tertiary care hospitals for further treatment.

10 to 15 patients are benefiting from home consultations each month.

The health unit has generated Quarterly Morbidity Reports (QMR), which were shared with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The rent paid for this area also offers an income source to its owner. The watchmen, the cook and the driver are all locals given employment opportunity.