Women MPs to help pregnant women in IDP camps

By Syed Irfan Raza

ISLAMABAD: A baby boom is on the way in internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps housing about 69,000 pregnant women, according to a report presented by the population welfare ministry at a meeting of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus (WPC) here on Thursday.

Members of the caucus decided to bear the expenses of 10 mothers and their babies and announced a monthly donation of Rs5,000 to the relief fund set up by National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza.

“We have decided that each of our 93 members will take care of the mothers and their babies,” Dr Mirza said.

A committee was formed to work in coordination with the NWFP government to select a camp to be sponsored by the caucus.

The caucus decided to set up maternity centres in the camps and provide hepatitis diagnostic kits and vaccines. The women lawmakers also announced to adopt 10 orphans till their rehabilitation.

A donation of Rs1.4 million to the speaker’s fund was announced on the occasion. MNA Nafeesa Shah briefed the meeting on a visit by women parliamentarians to camps in Mardan and Swabi.

“Women are exposed to specific diseases and they need special attention and urgent relief. Hygiene and health conditions in the camps need special attention,” she said.
Source: Dawn
Date:6/19/2009