ISLAMABAD, Nov 3: A baby boom continues in the region devastated one year ago by the earthquake. A huge share of those killed last October were children, and many grieving parents now want new babies to take the place of those who perished.

At least 5,000 women give birth each month in the affected areas, says a report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), one of many aid groups that responded to the crisis. They are working in partnership with the government to restore medical services throughout the affected region.

“Rebuilding will take years, but health care for many women and their children is already better than before the quake,” the report says.

The UNFPA had moved quickly to establish and equip emergency medical facilities in two of the most severely damaged districts — Muzaffarabad in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Mansehra in the North West Frontier Province — with a focus on enabling women to deliver safely.

As part of the joint endeavour, the UNFPA has set up temporary health centres, complete with women staff, equipment and supplies for quality reproductive and maternal health care.

Indications are that more women in the two districts, including those in remote areas, are using prenatal services, skilled delivery assistance, child health care and family planning than before the quake. In some places the level of care exceeds what was previously available.

At least 5,000 women give birth each month in the affected areas, where mothers often have six or seven children. Most deliver at home, and maternal mortality is high. Post-earthquake stress and rough living conditions have increased the risks for women.—PPI