In the remote village of Jalal Malik, situated in the Gulwal
Tangwani UC, Tangwani Taluka, and Kashmore
@Kandhkot, Naseema Khatoon’s story exemplifies the
transformative impact of health intervention. Naseema,
a
28-year-old mother of seven, faced numerous
challenges due to her poor health and lack of access to
healthcare facilities in her impoverished community.
Before receiving treatment, Naseema suffered from
malnutrition, evident from her low MUAC reading of
20.4. Despite being four months pregnant, she lacked
proper nutrition and prenatal care, leading to health
complications for both her and her unborn child.
However, with the intervention of Women Empowerment
Pakistan’s project WEP-AAP, Naseema’s situation took a
positive turn.
Guided by the project’s recommendations, Naseema
began consuming nutritious food three times a day,
supplemented with daily doses of iron folic acid (IFA)
tablets. Additionally, she diligently attended antenatal
and postnatal care visits at the OTP MCHC Bijar Khan.
Through these efforts and the support of Community
Health Worker Raheema, Naseema’s MUAC reading
improved to 23.0 within three months, indicating her improved health status.
As a result of her commitment to following the project’s guidelines, Naseema successfully
delivered a healthy child, marking a significant milestone in her journey. Moreover, she
gained awareness about the importance of dietary nutrition, IFA supplementation, and family
planning methods, ultimately choosing to adopt contraceptive injections for family planning.
Despite the challenges posed by the village’s backwardness, lack of education, poverty, and
limited access to healthcare, Naseema’s story highlights the effectiveness of targeted
interventions in improving maternal and child health outcomes. Through WEP-AAP’s holistic
approach, Naseema not only secured her own health but also laid the foundation for a
healthier future for herself and her family, affirming the adage that “a woman’s health is her
capital.”
