Bakhtar Development Network

Saving a life of a woman

Location:  Daw Lat Abad DH
Name of CHW:  Rahima
Village: Deh Now

Rahima is one of our CHWs in Dawlat Abad district in Deh Now village.  Saifurrahman is her companion, who together form a Health Post for the area. They have been trained in 2006 to deliver basic health services to the people of their village, which encompasses 130 families.  One of the regular activities they perform is provision of health education to the men and women. The issues discussed during the gatherings by the ladies vary. It starts from child health issues, proper care taking during seasonal diseases as diarrehea or ARI, communicable diseases and preventive practices, and ends with women health during the pregnancy.

Once as Rahima was giving health education about the danger signs of pregnancy to ladies some of whom were already pregnant, she provided special attention to them and convinced every one of them to pay their first antenatal visit at the nearest clinic.

Among those, there was a woman by the name of Laila D/O Shaikh Mohd, who is 32 years old. After a period of time Laila became pregnant for her 3rd pregnancy. Laila till now never had visited the Health facility for any pregnancy or delivery issue due to restrictions from male family members. Her previous deliveries were attended at home in Deh Now village, one of which was not successful.  As per recommendation of Rahima – Laila paid her first antenatal visit to the clinic. After a period of time Laila started having some minor problems, which once became very risky. During one of the nights Laila got vaginal bleeding. She informed Rahima – who after checking the patient referred her to the hospital. Her family was not willing to take Laila to the hospital, nonetheless Rahima wrote a referral sheet and asked them to take Laila to the hospital as this situation could have complicated and risky end.

Rahima left the patient and went home, however, as she remembered the attitude of the family members she decided to return and convince them to take the patient to the hospital and accompany them. As the situation was quiet serious and the pregnancy could not be saved – it was decided to make an abortion. The family agreed with the decision of the female MD who herself talked to the husband of Laila, and they performed a curettage. 

Now Laila is healthy and using family planning method (COC), as per recommendation of the female MDs.  Laila and her family are very happy from Rahima (CHW) who helped them on time.