Real Lives

Life and Death for Dildar

Access to adequate medical care is a luxury which most residents of Neelum Valley in Pakistan-administered Kashmir are unable to afford. The nearest town and hospitals are many miles away. Dildar lives in Kuttan in the Neelum Valley and is the mother of two daughters - this is her story.

In 2001 Dildar was expecting twins. From the early stages of her pregnancy, she suffered from swelling all over her body, but was unable to afford treatment. Compounded by an inadequate diet, Dildar soon became anaemic.

In the fifth month of her pregnancy, whilst carrying out household chores, she began to suffer from heavy bleeding.Alone in the house with her young children Dildar was too ill to even call out to her neighbours for help.

That evening, when her husband returned home, he found her close to collapse and immediately arranged transportation to the Islamic Relief Community Health Centre. There she was given emergency treatment, free of charge, by the dedicated medical staff.

Unfortunately Dildar's twins were stillborn, but she herself survived thanks to the twenty-four hour care she received. Her moving message to the staff at the Health Centre touched the hearts of all those involved with her care.

"It is awful to carry a child for so long and to then lose it. I lost two children that night. However, when I think of my two other daughters I imagine them without a mother. What would have become of them if I too had died?

It is only because of Islamic Relief, and the staff at the Health Centre that they still have me here to care for them. Now as I look at them and watch them grow into women I bless those doctors and nurses who made it possible. I pray for them night and day that they might carry on this blessed work."