Health Care:

ARC established three basic health units, and four Rural Health Centers with an emergency room, a medical laboratory, and labour rooms to serve 134,000 quake survivors. ARC has continuously addressed to the numerous health needs of the affected populations of 28 villages in Bagh district from the the first week after the earthquake disaster till date. Health staff has successfully implemented the UNICEF and DRI funded projects “Addressing the Primary and Reproductive Health Needs of Populations Affected by the Earthquake in Bagh District, Pakistan.”  The project provided primary and reproductive health services to survivors in 3 Union councils (Topi, Birpani, Banipasari) in Tehsil Bagh. The total number of beneficiaries was initially 86,000 individuals (60,000 direct and 26,000 indirect) against the target of 46,000 beneficiaries.  Two Basic Health Units (BHUs) and two Rural Health Centers (RHCs) were established against the proposed goal of one BHU and two RHCs. Two additional BHUs and a RHC was established in a UNHCR camp for IDPs where ARC identified many extremely vulnerable individuals.

The SAERF funded "Providing Essential Primary and Reproductive Health Care Services to Earthquake-affected Populations in Pakistan” was approved with a timeframe of 1 August 2006 to December July 2007. This project focused on the provision of primary and reproductive health care through the seven currently ARC-operated health facilities in Bagh District.  This expanded program and increased facilities providing clinic-based care to a population of 134,000 beneficiaries.

In addition to the services offered in ARC-operated facilities, this SAERF-funded project helped ARC provide home-based medical services through travelling Community Health Workers.  Home visits are especially important to the elderly, women and children who cannot travel to health facilities.  With UNICEF and SAERF’s support, ARC sustain the lives and improve the well-being of approximately 200,000 earthquake survivors in Bagh and Dirkot Tehsils by providing essential health care services through seven health facilities and travelling Community Health workers.

The transitional phase from relief to recovery and reconstruction constituted a challenge for the health system, which faced an increased demand for services.  ARC assisted by collaborating with local entities such as the Ministry of Health and local NGO, as well as the community to increase their capacity to address the health care needs of the population.  As the capacity of the government health system grows, the number of non-governmental partners should gradually decrease.  ARC’s exit strategy will ensure proper handover and sustainability.

The following are the key challenges of the health system in Bagh District:

• Improvement of access and quality of basic health services
• Strengthening of essential drugs and other medical material supplies and management
• Reinforce the capacities of health service providers
• Strengthen and develop Disease Prevention and Control
• Increase the communities’ participation in health activities

To achieve these objectives, ARC provided primary and reproductive health care and emergency obstetrics for more than 120,000 Kashmiri beneficiaries in ARC operated BHU and RHU; in addition to Padder and Ratnoi out-patient and reproductive health clinics ARC has established a RHC at Chittra Topi, Chatter-II, and Dheer Kot on behalf of the Ministry of Health and a BHU at the UNHCR IDP camp in Namanpura. The Chitra Topi Rural Health Centre is set up with basic ward facilities, equipment and support staff and will serve approximately 40,000 people. The BHU set up at UNHCR IDP camp Naumanpura is fully equipped with medical staff and medicines, to provide health promotion and education, disease prevention and natal services to approximately 110 families; Youth clubs have been developed in Bagh district to provide earthquake affected children friendly spaces and emotionally stable environment. At RHC Paddar ARC, conducted a six weeks TBA’s training course completed by 70 local TBAs, 20 more TBAs are given theses trainings presently. The services provided by the health facility are: Comprehensive Primary Health Care; comprehensive Reproductive Health care (including natal, antenatal and post natal care services); emergency Obstetrics services; labour Room; Ultrasonography; Community outreach; Male/ Female OPD; EPI; Child Spacing; Fully equipped Laboratories; TBA/CHW Training; Youth Clubs; Community Health Education; GBV cases counselling and treatment