Joan Dodman is the wife of US Consul General in Karachi. Her energetic role in the field of mother child health care services has made her a famous foreign personality throughout Sindh. Mrs. Dodman is one of the first high profile diplomats' wives to actively participate in improving the welfare of women and infants. In her first-ever exclusive interview for any newspaper she discusses the work and efforts of her office to improve quality of mother child health services in Sindh. She also expresses her views on social advancement and opportunities of women.
Mrs. Dodman is a professional nurse with a 33-year of experience which helps her understand mother-child health problems in a foreign land. In addition to accompanying her husband in his duties as the Consul General, Mrs. Dodman also works for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in its health section at the US Consulate.
She says, "USAID is focused on improving access to quality health services throughout Sindh. We are working here for the improvement of maternal, new born and child health, and to strengthen health system-community linkages."
Close to one-third of girls in Sindh marry before reaching the legal age of 16. Early child marriage leads to high maternal and infant mortality. Therefore, answering a question about chronic health issues of immediate attention, she points out. "Most chronic women health issues are anaemia [45% of women in Pakistan are anaemic], malnutrition, young mothers and weak children".
Everybody knows that unqualified and inexperienced midwives are a major factor contributing to the high maternal-infant mortality and other birth-related complications. To address this challenge, Mrs. Dodman said: "We train and provide refresher courses to midwives to prevent and manage obstetric and newborn emergencies. Along with midwife training programme, we have been providing expectant mothers education about nutrition and breastfeeding".
She adds, "I have been lucky to visit interior Sindh. My team and I have visited remote areas to see what our partners do. We met with midwives and young doctors and I am satisfied with their progress". She is optimistic about USAID programme's success. "It's a five year programme, we have good working relationship with the local health providers who give us direction. We are working tandem with our partners, public and private and civil sectors in Sindh. And I think we are on our way to reach our goals".
About the programme's goals, Mrs. Joan says: "The main goal of the Maternal and Child Health Program is to reduce maternal and infant mortality. This includes prevention of 4,000 maternal deaths, reducing infant mortality by 13%, and increasing the use of skilled birth attendants by 38%. USAID is building a new, modern 120-bed maternity ward in Karachi.
"Other projects include reconstruction and equipping 155 healthcare units, tripling the size of and modernizing the Central Warehouse for Health Commodities in Karachi, and helping thousands of medical professionals upgrade their skills," explains Mrs. Dodman. "Another major project is a 133-bed hospital complex under construction in Jacobabad that will include a maternal and child health wing, operating theatres, emergency room, cardiac care/intensive care unit, and a fully equipped outpatient clinic to provide modern medical services to 1.5 million people in upper Sindh and Balochistan."
Mrs. Dodman also discusses many other USAID programmes in Sindh, such as the Jacobabad municipal project which will deliver clean drinking water to more than 250,000 people, improve health and hygiene conditions and create sustainable sewage and garbage management systems.
With extensive programmes in energy, education, health, and municipal services the American people are investing over $500 million to address current needs and build a brighter future for people throughout Sindh, according to Mrs. Dodman.
"Through our programmes, mothers will be equipped with all the necessary information about hygiene, nutrition, immunization, and treatment of common illnesses for their children throughout the first five years of their lives".
Answering a question about how women of rural areas have responded to women health service programme, she says that "I get warm welcome from women of Sindh. Women in rural areas respond well to our health services".
She sees bright future of women in Sindh. "All around the world, women whether working at home or in offices have to face challenges and they are struggling to secure their future. The same is true for the Pakistani society. But, I think progress is being made and I'm optimistic."
She explains, "During my stay in Karachi I have met women from all kinds of different professions. They are finding ways to succeed at home and in the office. I see enthusiasm, and they are struggling to get empowerment. There are a number of great women's organizations led by bright, promising young women. If you have patience, perseverance and family support you can reach your goal with success."
"I have met strong willed women. Many women are running their own small businesses. There are many women who can be role models for young girls. In Pakistan, I have seen women doing their best to build a better future for themselves and their families".
Mrs. Dodman likes her role as a mother and home maker. "Woman's role as a mother and home maker is important and should get a priority. Simultaneously, for a peaceful non-violent home environment, mutual respect for each other, empowerment of women and satisfactory economic factors are important".
An admirer of richness of Sindhi culture, Mrs. Dodman has visited various historical places of Sindh such as Chawkandi tombs. According to her Sindhi Sufi music and culture have great power to inspire the world.
(The writer is a contributor to newspaper's Weekend section.)