An Ethnographic Study on Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health Facilities for 2022 Flood Migrants in Swat

Abstract

The reoccurring phenomenon of flood has become a major issue in the northern area of Pakistan. Floods have become a cultural trend in Swat, which has taken a lot of lives, leaving people homeless and penniless. Additionally, women and children are suffering more, and deaths ratio is greater in women and children. The major factors are unavailability of maternal, neonatal, and lack of health facilities for children. The major argument of this study is how MNCHs are being treated during such emergencies. This qualitative research was conducted through in-depth interviews using interview guides from the targeted populations, maternal women, and medical officials, using purposive, convenient, and snowball sampling. The findings show that there are not many resources and facilities for women available in the health sectors provided by the Government due to which women are not satisfied with the medical camps organized by the government with no facility for any lady doctors in an emergency. They show lack of interest in Government efforts and blame them for everything. However, the other medical and relief camps organized by private organizations and foundations working for women's empowerment had gained the trust of the people of Swat.