Doctors Worldwide

Sitting behind her small desk surrounded by at least 30 women and children, Dr Hasiba Tarin tells how the floods in Pakistan had totally submerged the local hospital under water.  She says many women and children died in the floods, but there are no accurate numbers.

Doctors Worldwide went to Nowshera and coordinated a ‘clean up’ operation of the hospital; stocked it with medication and employed local doctors and health staff to treat flood survivors.

“I came to the hospital 15 days after the flood and along with hospital staff, worked day and night to clear the mud and debris from the building” says Dr Tarin.

Dr Tarin is the reason why thousands of women travel from miles to attend the Nowshera clinic as she is the only female doctor in the district. She says the women prefer to see her as they feel at ease discussing their medical problems with a woman.

One of the greatest concerns is the lack of health of the many pregnant women who come to see Dr. Tarin.

‘’Around 40% of pregnant women give birth at least one or two months prematurely. I have seen many cases of women miscarrying and a high number of women giving birth to stillborn babies since the floods. After the floods I was administering at least 40 IV fluid drips a day to expectant mothers, ’’ describes Dr Tarin.

‘’Women are suffering from high blood pressure; they are shocked and still coming to terms with the aftermath of the flooding. In the days after the flood, patients reached the hospital with broken bones and open wounds. I honestly believe that more people would have died if Doctors Worldwide hadn’t set this clinic up.’’