One of ANT-Hiroshima‘s biggest commitments over the last few years has been working in cooperation with HOPE ’87 in the construction of a Basic Health Unit just outside Shamshatoo Refugee Camp, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, (formerly known as North West Frontier Province), in Pakistan.
In 2003 ANT-Hiroshima cooperated with HOPE ’87 by using one of the HOPE’87 schools facilities in Baghbanan (Shamshatoo) to run a Weekly Health Camp. Free medicine and consultation to the poor people of the area was provided.
Then, in 2009, ANT Hiroshima donated 5 million PKR for the construction of a Basic Health Unit building.
However, construction has been severely delayed due to the deteriorating security situation in the province and further disruption caused by flooding.
Then, in 2010, it became possible to resume work on the building and now only plastering work and electric and water appliances remain to be completed.
In December 2010, Shoaib-san, together with Marie and Ahmed Abbas visited the BHU health clinic site to inspect the site.
Shoaib-san is a qualified engineer and during this visit he offered some advice and reviewed the construction progress. He reports that he is quite satisfied with the quality of work and progress.
Who will the project benefit?
Direct beneficiaries of the project will be at least 15,000 patients who will receive subsidized medical treatment (checkups and lab tests). Additionally 6,000 school children will benefit from 75 health and hygiene sessions at their schools carried out by BHU staff.
Prior to the construction of the BHU, the patients had very limited access to healthcare and due to limited employment opportunities and lower incomes they are unable to afford private medical treatment.
Particular attention will be given to women and children as surveys conducted in the area show that their health conditions are especially alarming.
Who else will benefit?
Other beneficiaries will include the families of the patients and communities of the surrounding areas, including the inhabitants of refugee camps, a total local population of approximately a quarter of a million people.
If everything continues to go according to the new, revised schedule, we are hopeful that the Basic Health Unit will begin operating early in 2011.
