The Three Delays:Dangers faced by women during child birth in rural areas of Pakistan
The Rural Health Care System of Pakistan is highly under developed. According to a Report by World Health Organization in 2009, Pakistan comes under the category of Low Income Group Country. Pakistan’s GDP on Health Sector is merely 0.6%. The Utilization of Basic Health Units by rural population is 90% but government spends merely a fraction of its total health budget on Basic Heath Units compared to its allocation of funds on Tertiary Care Hospitals.
The gender bias is another major issue faced by female population seeking Health Care.In a Rural set up, where a woman is requiring Anti-Natal Care is usually denied access to avail it. Then there are issues of Affordability, Accessibility, and Availability of Health Care.
The head of the family, in our patriarchal set up, is usually a man. He is also the wage earner for the family. It is he who decides where to allocate resources. For him, to buy a new buffalo may be of more importance than to spend on fees on Medical Consultation. When condition for the woman becomes critical, the family wastes time in taking timely decision. This is also referred to as First Delay.
The issue of The Second Delay arises when there is delay in arranging for the transportation to the nearest possible Health Facility. The family may not be able to arrange for an ambulance or even a private vehicle. There have been cases where the patient had to be transported on Donkey Cart or Bull Cart.
The Third Delay is problem which is faced by the patient, even when she makes it to the Health Facility, is the absence of the Doctor and Paramedical Staff at the facility.
The Three Delays Problem, which put in danger life of not only the patient, but also her to be born child.
The role of LHWs can play an important role in visiting the homes on regular basis and assessing the state of pregnancy, to look for danger signs and to educate and counsel the parents in seeking Medical Care on priority basis.
The improvement in transportation mode will help in addressing the Second Delay. The person owning a Private Motorized Four Wheeler Vehicle in the village can provide the transportation facility. The Village Elders can play an important role in implementing these interventions in their regular Jirgas or Panchayats.
The improvement of the quality of the Health Facility can be carried out with Public- Private Partnership. This would not only ensure availability of diligent and committed Doctors and Paramedical staff and State Of The Art Equipment. This will also help in dealing with the issue of
The Third Delay
Improving the quality and scope of care available at existing medical facilities—will have the greatest impact in reducing needless maternal deaths.
The gender bias is another major issue faced by female population seeking Health Care.In a Rural set up, where a woman is requiring Anti-Natal Care is usually denied access to avail it. Then there are issues of Affordability, Accessibility, and Availability of Health Care.
The head of the family, in our patriarchal set up, is usually a man. He is also the wage earner for the family. It is he who decides where to allocate resources. For him, to buy a new buffalo may be of more importance than to spend on fees on Medical Consultation. When condition for the woman becomes critical, the family wastes time in taking timely decision. This is also referred to as First Delay.
The issue of The Second Delay arises when there is delay in arranging for the transportation to the nearest possible Health Facility. The family may not be able to arrange for an ambulance or even a private vehicle. There have been cases where the patient had to be transported on Donkey Cart or Bull Cart.
The Third Delay is problem which is faced by the patient, even when she makes it to the Health Facility, is the absence of the Doctor and Paramedical Staff at the facility.
The Three Delays Problem, which put in danger life of not only the patient, but also her to be born child.
The role of LHWs can play an important role in visiting the homes on regular basis and assessing the state of pregnancy, to look for danger signs and to educate and counsel the parents in seeking Medical Care on priority basis.
The improvement in transportation mode will help in addressing the Second Delay. The person owning a Private Motorized Four Wheeler Vehicle in the village can provide the transportation facility. The Village Elders can play an important role in implementing these interventions in their regular Jirgas or Panchayats.
The improvement of the quality of the Health Facility can be carried out with Public- Private Partnership. This would not only ensure availability of diligent and committed Doctors and Paramedical staff and State Of The Art Equipment. This will also help in dealing with the issue of
The Third Delay
Improving the quality and scope of care available at existing medical facilities—will have the greatest impact in reducing needless maternal deaths.
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