Urgent Care Needed for Pregnant Women in Flood-hit Pakistan
by Seemab Chaudhary
SHARES
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a sexual and reproductive health agency that has thrown the light on pregnant women in flood-hit areas, in Pakistan. Maternal health services are much needed in these areas as over 6.5 million women are pregnant amidst the flood struck victims.
One million houses were destroyed by the flood and the UN agency further said that the women and girls are at risk of gender-based violence (GBV). Many people are homeless in flood-hit areas and are at risk of potential health conditions.
Next month, many women are expected to give birth but there are no such skilled birth attendants that can help to provide the basic services. The agency further said, “Pregnancies and childbirth cannot wait for emergencies or they cannot wait for a natural disaster to be over.”
UNFPA has painted a bleak picture of women affected by the unprecedented floods in Pak as it said that at least 650,000 pregnant women, of whom 73,000 are expected to deliver next month,in the flood-affected areas r in dire need of maternal health servicehttps://t.co/IdLq2x5zUN
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Dr. Bakhtior Kadirov said that UNFPA is working with some of the partners to ensure that pregnant women and new mothers continue receiving life-saving services under these natural disaster conditions. Many people are homeless now and need proper healthcare services, especially women who are pregnant and expected to give birth.
The UN agency reported that over one thousand health facilities are partially or fully damaged in Sindh, including 198 health facilities in the district in Balochistan. Roads and bridges are also damaged which are like hurdles in providing healthcare services to girls and women in those affected areas.
Dr. Kardirov also added that “We will continue supporting health facilities with the equipment and human resources to be fully operational despite the challenging humanitarian conditions.”
UNHCR also appeals for more support and help to set up Pakistan’s response to the catastrophe. Filippo Grandi also stated, “Rains and floods have been catastrophic for millions of people and we need global support on an urgent basis in these hard times.”
