KARACHI, May 31: Acknowledging the importance of trained midwives to arrest the rising incidence of maternal mortality, City Nazim Naimatullah Khan has announced to establish midwifery schools at different maternity homes across the metropolis.

Speaking at a ceremony held here on Monday to mark the formal delivery of medical equipment worth $70,000 by the Unicef-Sindh for maternity homes scattered across the city, the Nazim said that one of these midwifery schools would be inaugurated at city government's maternity home in Manghopir on June 12.

This was stated to be followed by establishment of midwifery schools at city government's maternity homes in New Karachi, Shah Faisal Colony and Gizri respectively within the next few months.

Besides, Naimatullah Khan said that Sartaj Begum School of Midwifery had been started at Soldier Bazar Maternity Home, where some 25 students were receiving relevant training. On the occasion, he announced to pay a stipend of Rs2,000 to midwifery students.

Extremely appreciative of the assistance being provided by the Unicef-Sindh, Mr Khan observed that the very support would significantly contribute in proper functioning of the training centres.

He reminded that health and education were among the top priorities of city government. However, due to resource constraints the city government did require maximum support of the local philanthropists as well as NGOs and concerned national international agencies, he pointed out.

"We ought to have proper collaboration in the back drop of the constant influx of population towards Karachi, where around 538 urban slums without having basic facilities exists," he said.

Provincial chief of the Unicef, Rana Syed, mentioned that the organization was providing $70,000 gadgets, which were prerequisite for operation theatres and labour rooms of maternity homes functioning in the city.

She said, "For the last three years, the Unicef has been implementing WRLH project with the support of Columbia University and the Bill Gates Foundation to address this issue. It is being implemented in selected health facilities of three districts - Karachi, Hyderabad and Sanghar," she added.

Referring to a recent Unicef assessment, she said that the public sector maternity homes were having acute shortage of equipment and trained professionals. She also offered support to city government on behalf of Unicef-Sindh in the field of immunization, child health, water and sanitation as well as child protection.

In her thesis on "Mothers Being Laid to Graves", senior columnist Zahida Hina attributed the high rate of maternal mortality to poverty and marriage of girls at tender ages.

The project director of city government's maternity homes and midwifery schools, Dr Haroon Imtiaz, mentioned that an estimated 3,000 women were exposed to maternal mortality while another 400,000 were suffering from maternal morbidity and often were unable to lead a normal life.

Among others, the ceremony was addressed by EDO Health, Dr Fazal Illahi Memon; Health Adviser to City Nazim, Dr Abdullah Mutaqi; Dr Shershah Syed; Dr Shahid and Dr Asif Aslam. - PPI/APP