As we headed towards Dera Murad Jamali via Sukkur and Chaman for my visit to MSF health projects; Rehmat, the driver told me that his brother has 22 children while he has just two. He further explained that it is believed that the higher the number of children that a man has earns, the more him respect he gets from his qabeela (tribe).

At the hospital, a struggle to survive awaits the new arrivals. It is hard to watch the newborn babies in the nursery struggling to take their first breath, and as one looks at them one can’t help being reminded of one’s own children. Many of the children I photographed in Dera Murad Jamali are malnourished. After the first two children are born, the mother’s milk is not as nutritious as most mothers are malnourished.

When freelance photographer Sa’adia Khan travelled to Balochistan to visit and photograph a health project, this is what she saw

On day two of my visit to Dera Murad Jamali, a little soul departs from this world. Shaban was healthier than the others in the ward but had a respiratory condition.

Mid-week, I visited a basic healthcare unit some 20km from Dera Murad Jamali. Some of the patients here have travelled long distances for medical care. After registration, the infants and children are weighed and their height measured. A brief consultation follows that concludes with the distribution of up to week’s supply of plumpynut, a nutritional supplement paste. Mohammad Saleem is three years old, and unable to stand or walk as he is malnourished; I am told by Amna, his eight-year-old accompanying aunt who is barely able to carry him. She told me that his mother could not leave the house as the head of the family was not able to accompany her.

In Chaman, I met women in their final trimester and some close to going into labour. Their husbands only bring them to the facility for the delivery and they have not benefitted from any antenatal care. Many babies are born within hours of the onset of labour. In the waiting area I see women dressed in the traditional burqa, huddled together, conversing at a barely audible level.

Many of the children I photographed in Dera Murad Jamali are malnourished. After the first two children are born, the mother’s milk is not as nutritious as most mothers are malnourished.

Each nursery at the Chaman project accommodates many twins and triplets, as well as a significant number of premature babies. Once the newborns are admitted to the nursery the mothers go home and an attendant is appointed. The appointed attendant is always a relative, usually the babies’ father or grandmother, who is assisted by the staff.

I do not need to look at the photographs I took to remind myself of the people I met during my time in Balochistan. Each and every face is imprinted on my heart.

Sa’adia Khan is a freelance photographer. She visited MSF’s projects in Balochistan in March and April of this year.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, September 14th, 2014