Shammi was pale, hopeless, and suffering from severe
low blood count when HDF community health workers found her in Union Council
Bagh-o-Bahar, Tehsil Khanpur in Rahim Yar Khan. The Hindu scheduled caste lady
had moved into the area recently with her husband, Gurdas. She had already gone
through the heartache of losing two children in four unsuccessful pregnancies
within two years.
Her family survives on only the income they receive from their livestock and
Gurdas did not have the financial resources to secure quality treatment for his
wife. Desperate for some kind of relief, he turned to an HDF Community Health
Worker (CHW) who brought them to the Community Health Center (CHC).
HDF’s Primary Healthcare program provides health services to deprived
communities, particularly focusing on the wellbeing of mothers and children.
Over the years, HDF has considerably lowered infant mortality rate, bringing it
to 27/1000 live births in its partner communities.
The health team at our CHC provided Shammi with the necessary treatment. She
was given free medicines and was asked to come for weekly checkups. Our CHWs
carried out regular follow up visits guiding Shammi and her husband on health,
hygiene and proper nutrition. After a year, the birth of a healthy baby girl
restored happiness to their household.
“I was on the verge of death when we came to first visit the CHC. I’ll
always be thankful to HDF’s health workers for bringing me here and for the HDF
doctor and CHC staff for giving me the treatment I needed with such care and
respect. I pray for them every day.”
-Shammi Gurdas