Maternal Health Initiative
Improving Maternal Health in Karachi’s Underserved Communities
In Machar Colony, Karachi, access to safe maternity care was once a major challenge. The nearest maternity home is over 45 minutes away, forcing many women to give birth at home through traditional birth attendants. These attendants, though familiar to the community, lack the medical expertise to manage pregnancy complications, one of the primary causes of high maternal and infant mortality rates in Pakistan.
To address this urgent need, Imkaan Welfare Organization launched its Maternal Health Initiative, establishing a 24/7 community maternity home in January 2018. The facility provides a safe, medically equipped environment for childbirth within the community, reducing preventable maternal and infant deaths and ensuring safe childbirth in Pakistan’s urban slums.
Accessible Antenatal and Postnatal Care for Women
The Imkaan Maternity Home connects women to qualified lady health workers and gynecologists who offer personalized antenatal and postnatal care. Expectant mothers receive regular check-ups, nutritional guidance, and continuous support throughout pregnancy.
Through monthly ultrasound services, women can track fetal development and identify high-risk pregnancies early—ensuring timely intervention and safer outcomes for both mother and child. Consultations with trained medical professionals also create awareness about personal health, hygiene, and preventive care, empowering women to take charge of their well-being.
Complementing these efforts, the Ultrasound Imaging Centre, established in 2015, remains the only such facility in Machar Colony. It provides critical diagnostic imaging for pregnancy assessments and emergency cases. By offering these services locally, Imkaan encourages women to seek professional antenatal and delivery care rather than rely on unqualified or unsafe practices.
Since January 2018 the Maternal Health Initiative and Maternity Clinic has supported:
Family Planning and Reproductive Health Awareness
Beyond childbirth, the Maternal Health Initiative promotes family planning and reproductive health education—a crucial need in a community where families often average nine children. The maternity home serves as a trusted space where women can consult with qualified midwives about contraceptive options and the benefits of planned parenthood.
Through awareness sessions, group discussions, and one-on-one counseling, Imkaan fosters understanding of child spacing, maternal nutrition, and safe motherhood. This not only reduces the risks of unplanned pregnancies but also strengthens family well-being and economic stability.
By providing accessible maternal healthcare in Karachi, the Imkaan Maternal Health Initiative continues to improve women’s health, reduce infant mortality, and empower mothers to make informed choices for themselves and their families—setting a model for community-based safe childbirth in Pakistan.
We look forward to support from interested individuals and groups to continue serving stateless communities in Karachi.
For more information on how you can help us, please click here to Donate.
Community awareness and participation is a core component of each of Imkaan Welfare Organization’s projects. Learn more about this initiative here.