Providing Accessible Maternal Care to Afghan Refugees in Balochistan

Afghan women in Balochistan face significant obstacles when it comes to accessing maternal healthcare. Deep-rooted cultural norms often lead to home births with traditional attendants, leaving many women without access to professional medical care. Additionally, economic constraints and a lack of awareness about prenatal and postnatal care further complicate the situation.

Take the story of Memona, an Afghan refugee from Khwaja Imran Killi in Chaman District. When she arrived at New DHQ Chaman Hospital for the delivery of her baby, the healthcare team immediately assessed her and took the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of both the mother and the baby. Thanks to the skilled care of LHV Neelam and CMW Adeena, Memona gave birth to a healthy baby girl weighing 2.9 kg.

Reflecting on her experience, Memona shared, “I am very grateful to the doctors and nurses here for their care and support during my delivery. I have been through many hardships, but the staff made me feel at ease. When my baby was born healthy, I felt so relieved.”

Under the EU-funded project titled, “Building Resilience of Afghan Refugees and Host Communities Through Integrated Protection, Health and Education Assistance in Balochistan Province” MERF, with the support of IRC, is addressing these challenges by offering free maternal healthcare services, raising awareness about the importance of institutional deliveries, and overcoming socio-cultural barriers through community outreach.