Pakistan suffers from illiteracy, ignorance, overpopulation, and lack of basic healthcare. The country needs an army of well trained and well equipped nurses and healthcare personnel who can make a notable difference at local levels. These midwives could have a worthwhile far reaching social impact. They advocate for education in their families, villages and communities, thus changing social and economic structures. They are trained and skilled to provide basic obstetrical care to pregnant women, post-natal care, delivery and basic resuscitation of new born at home, and also provide counselling and family planning services, wrote Dr Shershah.
The majority of nursing schools lack requisite trained faculty. The initiative of Koohi Goth Women Hospital tends to fulfill the gap. The majority of students come from rural marginalized areas surrounding Shaded Pura, Thar, Larkana, Badin, Jacob Abad, Dadu and other small towns. Non-Muslims are also encouraged to participate and in every batch, there are 4-6 Hindus or Christians. The students are also provided transportation services and to help them adjust in new environment, special attention is given to their mental health.
Students are equipped with computer skills in Koohi hospital
Dr Shershah further shared that another initiative, 'Hunurmund (skill-enhancement) Program' empowers uneducated girls, and divorced, separated, single mothers. They are provided with uniforms, lunch, and a daily travelling allowance. Dr Shehnaz Karim of Houston, Texas, is leading the program which gives a six-month training to 25 students in every batch. So far, six batches have graduated who go on to serve as helpers in clinics and assisting medical staff in healthcare centres at rural level.