Provide awareness, trained medical staff, better maternity facilities for protection of women’s health: Dr. Sher

LARKANA, Aug 19 (APP):A satirical and reformative stage play, “Anarkali,” was presented at Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU) Larkana here on Wednesday.

The play was performed by a Pakistani-American theatre group in collaboration with Kohi Goth Women’s Hospital.

Addressing the ceremony, renowned gynecologist and founder of Kohi Goth Women’s Hospital, Dr. Sher Shah Syed, shed light on the maternal and health issues faced by women in Pakistan. He stated that approximately 20,000 out of every 100,000 women lose their lives annually in Pakistan due to childbirth-related complications, whereas in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, this number is between 10,000 and 12,000. Highlighting the urgent need to further strengthen the maternal and child health sector, he said that 200,000 midwives and nurses are required to save women’s lives during childbirth.

                     Dr. Sher Shah Syed added that Kohi Goth Women’s Hospital has been designated as an international training center by the United Nations. He reiterated that Pakistan needs at least 200,000 midwives to make maternal and child health facilities effective. Stressing the encouragement of normal delivery in medically appropriate cases, he said that the trend of unnecessary surgical deliveries should be discouraged. He emphasized providing awareness, trained medical staff, and better maternity facilities to protect women’s lives and health.

Dr. Sher Shah Syed also stressed the importance of education for Pakistan’s development, stating that the country cannot achieve sustainable development until out-of-school children are brought into the education system.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Nusrat Shah said that the university believed in providing students with opportunities for healthy and positive extracurricular activities alongside academic pursuits. She noted that there were still many misconceptions regarding mental illnesses in society, while individuals suffering from mental health issues could recover and return to normal life with timely diagnosis, proper treatment, and family support.

It should be noted that Kohi Goth Women’s Hospital is an institution that provides free medical facilities to women. The aforementioned theatre group had previously performed this play in ten cities across the United States and six different cities in the United Kingdom to raise funds for Kohi Goth Women’s Hospital.

The play’s script was written by Shahid Ali and Noor-ul-Ain, while it was directed by Farzana Bharmal. The cast included Shalina Shahid, Hassan Alam Farah, Noor-ul-Ain Khan, Khaliq-uz-Zaman M. Khawaja, Nighat Dawood, and Saadi Farooq.

Members of the Pakistani-American theatre group expressed their gratitude for the warmth and hospitality they received in Sindh, stating that they had heard and read a great deal about the hospitality of the people of Sindh, but upon arriving here, they realized that Sindhis are truly extremely hospitable, loving, and sincere people. The artists said that performing “Anarkali” in Larkana was a delightful experience for them as well, and they will always remember the love and hospitality extended by the university.

The ceremony concluded with appreciation for the efforts of the artists and organizers, who effectively used the art of theatre to promote mental health, women’s health, social responsibility, and positive social attitudes.