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Pakistan: Meeting regular health needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic
Access to healthcare remains a challenge in Pakistan, especially for people in rural communities, informal settlements and areas affected by violence.

Healthcare for women, children and newborns is a serious concern in Pakistan and remains our priority there. Women in rural areas die from preventable complications during pregnancy and delivery, and neonatal care is unavailable in many areas. According to the 2017-8 Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey, 1 in every 14 children dies before the age of five. 

Why are we here?

Our activities in 2023 in Pakistan

Data and information from the International Activity Report 2023.

MSF in Pakistan in 2023 In Pakistan, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) continued to deliver medical care to people affected by the devastating floods in 2022, and to run projects to tackle neglected and communicable diseases.
Pakistan IAR map 2023

Our teams provided healthcare, including treatment for malnutrition, malaria and cutaneous leishmaniasis, to flood-hit communities in Dadu district, Sindh, until November, when we transferred activities to the health authorities.

In north Sindh and east Balochistan, we ran mobile clinics, offering healthcare to children and pregnant and lactating women until June. As well as treatment for malaria and malnutrition, we improved water and sanitation provision and distributed therapeutic food and mosquito nets.

Throughout the year, we also offered reproductive, neonatal and paediatric care at three locations in Balochistan, serving local communities and Afghan refugees. Activities included emergency obstetric services, nutrition programmes and patient referrals.

Our cutaneous leishmaniasis programme registered a sharp increase in patient numbers across all five of our clinics in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces in 2023. In addition to diagnosis, care and mental health support, we are conducting clinical research into better treatment options.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, we also provide general healthcare consultations in Tirah Valley, Khyber district, for locals and people who have resettled there.

In Karachi, Sindh, MSF’s one-year intervention in Baldia rural health centre ended in July. Its aim was to introduce a model of care for hepatitis C that could be implemented at general healthcare level. The centre has since been made a ‘sentinel site’ for hepatitis C.* Meanwhile, we strengthened our screening for the disease in Machar Colony, and continued to offer diagnosis and treatment to the mostly undocumented residents through our clinic there.

In Gujranwala, Punjab, we focus on providing diagnosis and treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis. In 2023, we started implementing shorter treatment regimens, and reinforced our patient-centred approach by setting up support groups and conducting home visits and follow-up consultations.
 

*A 'sentinel site' is a health facility that collects data on diseases under surveillance. It monitors the prevalence, with a view to assessing any change to health.

 

In 2023
 
Mask distribution in Machar Colony
About MSF

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Mask distribution in Machar Colony
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