A lifeline for mothers and their babies in Pakistan

Reaching the hospital was no small feat for Zarlast. She spends 1,000 rupees (approximately $3.60) on a round trip via rickshaw—an amount that weighs heavily on her family’s already limited income. “When my husband can’t find work, it becomes even harder to afford the trip,” she explained. “If this hospital closes, where will we go?”

Fatima, who is from Landi Killi, walked two hours to reach the facility. All seven of her children were born there. “We can’t afford transportation,” she said, the cries of her sister’s newborn echoing in the room. “During my first pregnancy, another hospital insisted on a cesarean for no reason, but I refused. I came here instead, and they delivered my first child. Since then, I’ve had six more here.” 

Supporting health care in Chaman

In Chaman—a northern town perched on the border between Balochistan and Afghanistan—health care is an even rarer commodity. Despite being a busy trading hub, access to medical services is inadequate. Since 2001, MSF has worked to bridge the gaps by providing critical health care in the region, as well as vital health promotion activities at District Headquarters Hospital. There, teams share leaflets and hold practical demonstrations to raise awareness about important topics such as hand-washing, vaccination, breastfeeding, family planning, and personal hygiene, among other issues.

Inside the maternity unit’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), Maria holds her baby Muhammad, who is ready to go home after 10 days in the hospital. “They treat us with respect,” she shared, as the doctor carried out one last thorough examination before discharge. “Here, everything is free, and care comes with responsibility. They teach us about hygiene and health care—things we wouldn’t learn anywhere else.”

Malnutrition and preventable diseases like measles also pose a threat to the children of Balochistan.  

Four-year-old Sadia recovered from measles in the isolation ward at DHQ Hospital. Her father bought her a pair of bright yellow flip flops adorned with sunflowers before her discharge, which she wore on her way out. “I take loans to get by, but the free care here has given me the chance to take my daughter home healthy,” added Sadia’s father, who faces mounting debt. 

Sadia's mother Aiza added, "without this facility, we wouldn’t have been able to save her."

Our work in Balochistan

MSF is providing maternal and pediatric care services in three locations in Balochistan: Kuchlak, Chaman, and Dera Murad Jamali. In 2023, MSF supported 13,200 births in the province, and by August 2024, our teams assisted 9,640 births and conducted 30,023 consultations for pregnant and lactating mothers through MSF's comprehensive maternal health care program.