In Pakistan, maternal health outcomes can face numerous challenges, especially in rural and low-income urban areas where access to quality healthcare and nutritional guidance is often limited.

Recognizing the opportunity to strengthen services, Nutrition International, in partnership with the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination and provincial health departments, launched the NourishMaa campaign, with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Implemented in collaboration with the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Pakistan and the Pakistan Medical Association, the campaign aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of healthcare providers and frontline workers to deliver comprehensive maternal nutrition counselling and support.

The campaign is being implemented in select districts in Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that report poor maternal health indicators. Below, we spotlight five healthcare providers who highlight the difference the training has made in their practice.

Promoting antenatal visits and addressing anaemia

In East Karachi, Dr. Humera met Ayesha, who was five months pregnant and presented with anaemia. Ayesha’s symptoms had previously gone unnoticed, partly due to a lack of routine antenatal care (ANC) and proper nutrition counselling.

Dr. Humera used knowledge gained from NourishMaa training to create a personalized care plan for Ayesha, involving iron supplements and guidance on affordable dietary changes. Within weeks, Ayesha’s haemoglobin levels improved and her symptoms of fatigue subsided. “The NourishMaa training taught me how critical nutrition is during pregnancy,” Dr. Humera explained. “The training corrected many misconceptions I had and enabled me to guide expectant mothers more effectively.” She’s now encouraging other expectant mothers to seek nutritional guidance early on.

Providing holistic care during pregnancy complications

Serving in a rural health centre, Dr. Hira Junejo witnessed firsthand the impact of targeted nutrition counselling on maternal health. One of her patients, Fatima, was facing severe anaemia and gestational diabetes during her fourth pregnancy, coupled with emotional stress from past pregnancy complications.

Leveraging the skills she gained through NourishMaa, Dr. Hira developed a comprehensive care plan for Fatima, integrating iron supplements, dietary adjustments and diabetes management. “This training reshaped my approach to care,” Dr. Hira said. “I can now provide the resources women need to have healthier pregnancies.” Fatima’s condition stabilized, and she successfully delivered a healthy baby. The increase in ANC and postnatal care visits at Dr. Hira’s facility reflects a growing trust in maternal healthcare, driven by her dedication to holistic care.

Tailoring nutritional counselling to the individual

In Rawalpindi, Punjab, Dr. Umbreen Munir is helping pregnant women navigate complex health challenges through her newly honed counselling skills. One of her patients, Sana, came to her with folate-deficiency anaemia, which posed risks to both her health and her baby’s development.

Dr. Umbreen provided tailored nutritional counseling, particularly focusing on affordable, locally available and feasible solutions. She guided Sana on incorporating folate-rich foods into her diet and prescribed iron and folic acid supplements to address her anaemia. Over several antenatal visits, Sana’s energy levels improved, and her pregnancy stabilized. “The training has empowered me to offer better counseling and build trust with my patients,” Dr. Umbreen shared. “Sana’s journey shows how small dietary changes can make a significant difference in maternal health.”

Addressing postpartum anaemia to improve the health of mom and newborn

Rimsha, a lactating mother who suffered from severe postpartum anaemia, visited Dr. Zaima Sanaullah in Ahmedpur East, Bahawalpur. Rimsha’s hemoglobin levels had dropped dangerously low, limiting her ability to breastfeed.

Through her NourishMaa training, Dr. Zaima gained the skills to offer nutritional counseling, recommending affordable iron-rich foods and supplements to boost Rimsha’s haemoglobin levels. “Before this training, I wouldn’t have had such a structured approach to dietary counseling,” Dr. Zaima shared. Rimsha’s haemoglobin improved significantly due to counselling and supplementation provided during her postnatal appointments. Rimsha also reported improvement in successfully breastfeeding her baby. This example underscores the importance of targeted nutrition interventions in improving postpartum health.

As Dr. Zaima said, “Now I feel confident in my ability to counsel mothers on how to nourish themselves and their babies properly.”

Increasing touchpoints through improved awareness 

When Dr. Salma Moin previously conducted ANC and postnatal care clinic visits in Korangi District, Karachi, she didn’t focus on comprehensive counselling. The NourishMaa training provided her with the tools and confidence to deliver in-depth maternal nutrition counselling during both regular ANC and postnatal visits.

Following her training, Dr. Salma emphasized the importance of eight or more ANC visits and the need for multiple postnatal sessions. Her facility has seen a substantial increase in attendance and her patients now frequently inquire about nutritional strategies tailored to their economic conditions. “It’s inspiring to see women eager to learn how they can take charge of their health,” Dr. Salma remarked.

The NourishMaa campaign is strengthening the ability of healthcare providers to implement comprehensive nutrition counseling as an integrated component of maternal health services. Learn more about our work in Pakistan.

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