RACDO & PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

According to WHO estimated 529,000 women die from complications due to pregnancies and child birth, and nearly 3 million children die from vaccine preventable diseases worldwide each year, 99% of mortality occurrence is in developing countries. In Pakistan the infant mortality rate is 77 per 1000 live births.  Women have low status and unfortunate positions due to malnutrition, low income, and lack of education. They are often isolated from health care facilities. The majority of births in rural areas are carried out in unhygienic conditions by female relatives; a traditional birth attendant TBAs. This results in a high incidence of a maternal and infant mortality rate.
The RACDO health programs focus upon reducing morbidity and mortality for the population groups at greatest risk and improving upon the existing health status of the individual. A comprehensive mother and child health care program has been undertaken by RACDO, consisting of three major components:

• Training of LHGs and TBAs
• Establishment of mother and child health care centers
• Communication and awareness campaigns

LIFE SAVING INITIATIVES

RACDO conducted an extensive TBA training program, which lead to a positive change in attitude, knowledge and skills of the participant TBAs. Most of the TBAs who have completed their trainings are now attached with RACDO health facilities as helpers. More than 875 TBAs and Dais (doulas) were trained under the 12-week training program and Dai kits were provided to 650 of them. A majority of these trained TBAs are now working in their local facility areas benefiting over 14,500 households in over 50 villages.

Approximately 328 LHGs (Lady Health Guards) have been trained to date, under the one year training program in 4 different sessions. This one year training program comprised of six months of theoretical training classes, whereas the later six months of the training comprised of clinical attachments.  Out of these successful LHGs, 125 are employed in different hospitals and private nursing homes and the rest are practicing privately in their local community areas.

RACDO Family Welfare Centers-

Giving New Horizons to Family Health

The project area consists of 15 villages with approximate population of 100,000 including women and children.  Family Welfare centers were launched in the villages, which provide primary healthcare services, antenatal and postnatal check-ups, maternal and child immunizations, reproductive health advice, conduction of normal delivery within these premises and referrals of complicated cases to nearby clinics and hospitals. Thousands of children have been immunized through these centers. Three diagnostic laboratories have also been set up for basic diagnostic tests for diseases like TB, Hepatitis and Diabetes in these centers.

These welfare centers have served over 7500 households including 48000 women and children. Over 4900 men have also benefited from these health centers and medical camps. Over 1500 normal deliveries have been conducted so far, with more than 700 complicated cases having been referred. Contraceptive services have been provided to over 2600 couples. These centers are primarily run by RACDO trained health staff, with services provided regardless of religion, color or caste. The basic concept of humanity thrives and prevails in these health care centers.

Cutting out MMR, IMR; RACDO Medical Camps Going Hand in Hand
with Government EPI

To this date, over 2800 families, consisting of 4800 women, 11500 children and 2900 male have benefited from the program of Free Medical Camps which have been held in their respective villages. The services of qualified gynecologists, eye specialists, and pathologists have been made available in these medical camps.

Health awareness campaigns have been conducted through personal counseling and dissemination of information material to the local communities. The distributed print material contained information regarding family planning techniques, significance of women’s nutrition, general hygiene through simple measures like hand washing, safe motherhood, significance of breast feeding, maternal and new born immunization  and last but not least: general preventive health care.