Faisalabad obstetric flying squad: a 4 years study

In the last 4 years [1989-92], 394 calls of the Obstetric Flying Squad have been answered. It compromises an emergency ambulance with medicine, equipment and trained staff. The obstetric flying squad deals with the emergencies at home and takes the patient to hospital for further management. Faisalabad is the first city to establish an obstetric flying squad service in Pakistan. Flying squad was called for 116 [29%] of women with labour pains, 64 [16.25%] for abortion, 61 [15.5%] for PIH and Eclampsia, 49 [12.5%] for APH, 43 [11%] PPH retained placenta, 41 [10.5%] obstructed labour and 7 [2%] puerperal sepsis

TBAs role in promotion of family health

TBAs [Traditional Births Attendents] role in relation to Perinatal and Neonatal mortality, maternal mortality and family planning services is reviewed. About 65% of women who suffered perinatal and neonatal mortality were receiving antenatal care from TBAs and 71% of deliveries were conducted by them. In maternal mortality TBAs were conducting 27% of cases, and 9% of deaths were definitely avoidable at TBAs level. TBAs played important role in family planning services and contraceptives prevalence increased from 12.1% to 41.7% in Faisalabad

Neonatal mortality in Pakistan-a hospital based study

Various factors leading to neonatal deaths were studied in 150 cases. Poor socio-economic status, short birth interval, lack of antenatal care, home deliveries by TBAs, various customs regarding the feeding of neonates and treatment of sick babies by non-qualified persons and late referral to the hospital, were the major contributing factors. Septicemia was the most common cause of neonatal death and was observed in 37.3% of cases. Tetanus neonatorum was observed in 8.0% of cases. Other causes were respiratory tract infection 26.7%, GIT infection 33.3%, CNS infection 8.7%, umbilical sepsis 5.6%, birth trauma 5.3% and congenital mal-formations 1.3%. The total neonates admitted were 496 in the period of study. Septicemia was observed in 36.9%, tetanus 7.7%, respiratory tract infection 8.5%, GIT infection 16.5%, CNS infection 2.6%, Umbilical sepsis 5.8%, birth trauma 2.8%, and congenital malformation 1.2% of total admission