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29 July 2002 By Naheed Malik of the Pakistan Red Crescent In her mid 20s, Dr. Khalida Orakzai, is a recent graduate of Pakistan's leading medical colleges. She has just landed her first job, working for the Pakistan Red Crescent as part of the Torkhum basic health unit (BHU), a project supported by the Federation and set up to improve access to health care for the resident and refugee populations in north west Pakistan. Dr. Khalida works with one male doctor, Dr. Kashif, and four other staff including a nurse/lady health visitor, a dispenser, an ayah/cleaner and a driver. Every morning they set off together from their homes in Peshawar on the 54 kilometre drive along winding mountain roads to Torkhum. Situated 200 metres from Pakistan's northern border with Afghanistan, up until six months ago the BHU was a derelict and defunct bus stop. Now rehabilitated, the building houses a small clinic which is clean, tidy and welcoming. Every day over 150 men, women and children come to receive medical care, 70 per cent are Afghan refugees. If they need medical treatment Afghans are also allowed to cross the famous Durand Line that separates Afghanistan and Pakistan. The number of visitors to the BHU is an indication of the severe lack of medical facilities in this remote area. There are also patients who come in from the nearby district of Landi Kotal and the UNHCR repatriation centres located in districts close to the BHU. The most common complaints inevitably are diarrhoea, dysentery and respiratory illnesses, all preventable diseases. The fact that many who come to seek medical care do not have a proper roof over their heads, access to safe water and sanitation facilities or adequate nutrition, is a major factor in the widespread incidence of preventable diseases. The BHU staff do their best to help. Each morning starts with a health talk and discussion ranging from personal hygiene and family planning to immunizations and the importance of safe water. A regular at the clinic is Mahgul, a 14-year-old Afghan girl. "She first came in very hesitantly with an infected sore on her foot and now she comes in whenever she feels the need," explains Dr. Khalida. Mahgul discusses her health concerns with the doctor, collects her medicine from the dispenser, and leaves with a smile on her face. During each visit she picks up new information about issues such as hygiene, safe water and other aspects of health education which she then takes home to share with her widowed mother and three younger siblings. "Older women tend to be less receptive to health education messages," explains Dr. Khalida. "Many are anaemic and physically run down after bearing an average of 12-14 children each." Dr. Khalida and her staff are highly motivated and committed. On one recent occasion, they were en route to the clinic when they found the road blocked by protesting local tribes people. Undeterred, the team disembarked from their vehicle and walked the remaining 16 kilometres to Torkhum where they carried out their routine work at the BHU before returning by foot in the evening to the waiting vehicles. The Torkhum BHU is one 10 health units supported by the Federation. Additionally Pakistan Red Crescent is providing health and hygiene education to refugees and local populations through its six mobile health units. With an increasing number of refugees returning to Afghanistan, Khalida says the services of the Torkhum BHU have become increasingly important. "If we can give people a basic understanding of how to prevent diseases, I feel that we've achieved something." Related Links: Pakistan - Annual Appeal Operations Update - Afghan Crisis Appeal More on: Pakistan |
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