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Project Background
Neelum Valley is one of the poorest areas of Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
The security situation has had a drastic effect on livelihoods,
contributing to severe levels of poverty.
There are problems accessing even basic facilities such as
clean water, healthcare and education. It is an area generally
neglected by NGOs and the government because of its inaccessibility.
Project Objectives
The programme aims to improve access to basic healthcare for
approximately 43,000 people in Neelum Valley.
It will focus on providing much-needed access to a community
health centre as well as services provided by Community Health
Workers (CHWs), working directly within their own communities.
Health care facilities are virtually non-existent
in Neelum Valley. Many doctors are unwilling to stay in such
difficult locations on low wages and with poor facilities.
Assessments have identified the following problems:
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No 'Mother and Child' heath care facilities and a shortage
of female doctors.
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No health care facilities at all for 25,000 people living
in between Athmuqam and Dawarian. These people are confined
due to cross border firing. Inadequate health facilities
for 18,000 population in union council Shahkot and Athmuqam
town.
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Lack of immediate facilities, and no patient referrals
system for secondary and tertiary health care.
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Project Activities
The programme will:
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Mobilise local community organisations to help improve
knowledge of health issues amongst the communities.
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Set up a health care facility in Kuttan capable of carrying out minor operations.
Three doctors will be based here, with at least one
female doctor. Patients requiring secondary and tertiary
treatment will be taken to hospitals in Muzaffarabad
and Islamabad by ambulances based in Kuttan.
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Train 50 Community Health Workers (CHW) who will then
provide basic support to the communities.
Beneficiaries
The programme aims to bring about a sustainable improvement
in the health and well being to about 43,00 people in the
Neelum Valley.
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