Sunday, January 11, 2009 By Imtiaz Ali – Karachi
Saira Mohammed Karim and Rabia Momin are amongst the 238 female students from across the country who recently received their diplomas in midwifery from Aga Khan Health Service, Pakistan (AKHSP).
Karim, who wanted to be a doctor, discovered the ‘Pakistan Initiatives of Mother and Newborns’ (Paiman) in 2006. Paiman was inviting female students from Balochistan to become midwives, and Karim was suitably enthused. “It inspired me,” she told The News. She finished the 18-month-long course and became a midwife.
Momin, who belongs to Hyderabad, wanted to contribute towards reducing maternal mortality. “A healthy mother creates a healthy nation,” she proudly stated, adding that her family encouraged her to join this profession.
According to AKHSP Community Health Director, Dr Rozina Mistry, they were trained on the request of Paiman and the Government of Pakistan. Girls are selected from different areas of Pakistan, imparted training and then sent back to their districts to serve the communities.
Ismailimail 