Seminar on Nutritional Neglect
* January 9,
2010: On the occasion of National Children Day, a seminar on “Nutritional Neglect in Children” focusing on the Macronutrient & Micronutrient deficiency in children was organized at Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi. The seminar was organized by DUHS in collaboration with Konpal Child Abuse Prevention Society and Paediatric Unit 3 of DUHS/CHK.
The seminar was organized to highlight the issue of Nutritional neglect affecting almost 40% of our children. This is also the root cause of high mortality in children under five years of age. The objective of the seminar was to give an update on Nutritional Deficiencies in children, discuss demographic and psycho social determinants of Nutritional neglect and to share our data of indicators identified. Also to discuss issues related to the management of nutritional neglect and devise strategy for intervention at multiple level .Professor A G Billoo, Professor DS Akram, Professor Aisha Mehnaz, Dr Fehmina Arif, Dr Saba Ahmed and others spoke on the occasion. Prof Junaid Asharaf, Principal Dow Medical College in his concluding remarks appreciated the efforts of organizing committee on the timely management of the seminar and for highlighting this most important issue affecting almost 3-4 million children. In the end Mrs. Zubeda Tariq talked with the mother on the importance of preparing goon nutritive diet and discussed recipes with them.
National Children day was also celebrated in most becoming manner .Special children from Institute of Rehabilitation Centre, headed by Dr Nabila Soomro performed. Gifts to children and food items to mothers were distributed in the end.
Workshop for Teachers on Child Abuse and Neglect at City School
* Jan 15,
2010: The objective of the workshop was to raise awareness among the teachers and parents regarding the issues of child rights & child abuse and neglect, protection of children from child abuse and neglect, early detection of cases of child abuse and neglect. Referral of cases of CAN to the concern authorities.
Formation of “School child Protection Committee” (SCPC) and Linkage of SCPC with Hospital Child Protection Committee (HCPC) and other concerned organizations/ NGO.
The workshop was attended by 25 school teachers and the Principal of City School. The greatly appreciated the workshop format and interacted enthusiastically with the facilitators.
Workshop for Mother's on Child Care and Protection
* March 13,
2010: Konpal, Child Abuse Prevention Society and Department of Pediatric Unit III in collaboration with PDC, DUHS has organized a week long workshop on “Enhancement of mother’s (parents) skill in care & protection of their children”. The work shop was organized as part of celebration of Konpal 5 year’s anniversary. The course started on 8th March on International Women’s day and ended on 13th March 2010. This is the first of the series of workshop, with the cooperation of the concerned Department we intend to organize the course for parents on at least monthly basis in future. The selected mothers after the training will be involved as community motivator in spreading the messages regarding health care and protection of children.
The program was met with great success. It was attended by more than 25 mothers who not only appreciated the organizers for the course but actively participated in the hands on workshop. The entire course was conducted in Urdu and Sindhi. The message was conveyed via charts, pictures, role play and interactive discussion sessions.
The first session was on Hand washing and its importance in prevention of infections. The second session was on importance of breast feeding and its advantages. Following day importance of good and balance nutrition was emphasized. The fourth day session was on conflict management within the family. On the fifth day of the workshop “Care of Newborn” was discussed.
The last day the facilitators discussed in detail the first aid management of common injuries and poisoning and Protection of Children from Abuse & Neglect. The entire team of Konpal and Hospital child Protection Committee actively participated and conducted the course in a becoming manner.
Celebration of 5 Years of Konpal
* March 21, 2010: Konpal celebrated the completion of five years of its existence on 21st March, 2009. Cake cutting ceremony was held at Konpal Head Office. Konpal members, Partner NGO’s and well wishers and volunteers of Konpal attended the ceremony.
Visit of Konpal Team to the Flood Affected Areas
* August 22, 2010: A four members Konpal team and members of PPA-CRC visited the flood affected areas of lower Sindh. They visited two camps at Jamshoro near Hyderabad. The team members carried out the need assessment of the flood affectees, especially children and join the medical team and ran the medical camp with the volunteer doctors already working in these camps.
The recent Flood in Pakistan was of unprecedented magnitude affecting large population. It has created havoc in all the provinces of Pakistan .The resultant loss is of unmanageable magnitude. Large no. of people in all provinces including especially Sindh are left with no food & shelter.
In Sindh especially the infrastructure of health & its delivery system was abysmal. The flood has further lead to the collapse of the health care system.
Konpal members are fighting for improvement of health & protection of children against natural & man created disasters from its inception & has always raised the voice towards the protection of children against these calamities whether it is the loss of innocent lives in bomb blast or affection of children in devastation like earthquake of flood.
During the recent flood of 2010 the members of Konpal has been very active.
They have actively participated in collection of donations for the flood victims, contribution in cash & kind to the affectees.
The following are the assessment report of the Konpal team based on observation, interview with the flood affectees medical personnel’s at the government dispensary setup at the vicinity and the locals.
1. The sanitary conditions of the camps are very poor.
2. The personal hygiene of the affectees especially children were bad therefore it was not surprising that most were suffering from skin infections like boils, pustules and infected scabies.
3. The cases of malaria are on the rise; there was shortage of anti malarial drugs, mosquito repellents and other protective measures .Mosquito nets were not seen in any of the camps.
4. There were frequent complaints of Gastroenteritis but cholera like epidemics were not seen. We have not witnessed any case of severe or moderate dehydration .however majority of peoples in the camps were using contaminated flood water. we were told that the water purification tablets are supplied in limited quantity and in even those dispensed to the affectees ,are not being utilizes by them.
5. Although medicines at the medical camps were in plenty but essential medicines like O.R.S and anti-malarial, anti-scabicidal, I.V. drips, I.V cannula and antibiotics were lacking.
The team has made following recommendations.
1. The priority should be given to maintenance of the sanitary conditions of the camp as the present condition heralds an even greater catastrophe in the form of diarrhea, pneumonia, malaria and other outbreaks of infectious diseases.
2. Mosquito nets, repellents and anti-malarials should be supplied in plenty. Anti-malarial sprayings of the surroundings areas including the stagnant water should be carried out immediately without further delay.
3. O.R.T corners should be set up in these camps and medical professionals from the nearby hospitals should be deployed immediately as the volunteers doctors are not going to stay here for the long time.
4. Vaccination of children should be carried out.(Typhoid, Measles especially)
5. Soaps, medicated shampoo, hand sensitizers and other cleansing agents should be supplied in the plenty to the camp inhibitors.
6. Proper and continuous cleaning of camps should be initiated without further delay.
7. One suggestion is to employ camp dwellers and evacuee on daily and weekly wages to do the chores. This will give them a participatory feeling and will also boost their self respect.
8. Those educated can set up children non formal teaching sessions. They can be supplied with blackboards, chalk and other materials.
9. Depending upon the profession, camp residents can also be involved in their self care and services.
10. Liaison should be created with the nearby hospitals and ambulance services should be made available to those who need immediate transfer to the hospitals.
11. Goods should be supplied in a proper organized way so that every family can get these items.
12. Deworming of all the children in the camps.
13. Mental Health professionals should also be part of team of medics as no one is assessing the psychological needs of the affectee especially children.
14. Child Protection messages should be displayed in all the camps as these camps are fertile ground for criminals , and we must keep child kidnapping in mind as at present parents are in distress and they may overlook the protection of their children.( we have past examples of earthquake were children and young girls were kidnapped on large scales).
Konpal team will be visiting camps at THATTA this week. We will welcome any doctors who want to accompany us and volunteer their services.
Finally all is not lost fortunately the lives of many are saved and when there is life there is hope. Together we can bring happiness into the life of these flood victims.
* September 04, 2010: A 22 member team of Konpal Doctors & Volunteers visited the flood relief camp at Thatta. Konpal set up medical camps at two places at Thatta.
The First medical camp was set at the "Tent City" at Makli Grave yard & second near DCO Office. Both these are run effectively by Ngo HANDS. More than 10,000 flood affectees have been provided with shelter in these camps.
Konpal set up 3 Medical Camps in each location.
The First Camp was run by Senior Pediatrician & post graduate students of FCPS Pediatrics, more than 300 children were seen in these camps. The problems identified were gastroenteritis, skin lesions, Malaria, eye infections, asthma, neonatal infections etc.
Second Camp was run by Senior Gynecologist of CHK assisted by junior doctors from Gynae.This camp was exclusively set for females, attempt was made to ensure privacy of females.
The problems identified were pregnancy related problem other gynecological problems. Over 200 females were seen in these camps.
The Third Camp ran a general OPD were males of the camp were seen by senior medical officers, the problem identified were.
At each camp a mobile dispensary was set; paramedics & volunteers managed the dispensary effectively.
Konpal team was also accompanied by team of psychologist who were assigned to identify the psychological problems in the camp dweller, their preliminary assessment report will be shared with you shortly.
Konpal and PPA–CRC also displayed child protection messages (see attachment) at these camps & alerted the Camp dwellers & elders towards the child protection & its importance.
The Konpal team ran these medical camps at the two sites from 9:30 am till 5:30 pm.
An ORT corner was set in one of the camp where ORS (prepared) & I/V facilities were available.
Only one child was found to be severely dehydrated, three children needed hospitalization that was offered admission & free medical facilities at Pediatric department of Civil Hospital Karachi.
Apart from dispensing free medicines our team distributed food items, clothes & slippers to the affectees.
The scale of devastation & number of affectees were so large that any help extended to them seems insignificant.
Konpal team highly appreciated the organized efforts of Hands in running these camps. They were also extremely grateful to the logistic support provided to them by Hands team and their hospitality extended by them to our team.
The Iftar hosted by HANDs will be remembered by the whole team of Konpal for years to come.
Konpal team is also thankful to WARIS for their contribution & for hosting Dinner for our team members.
Konpal’s Eid Mela with the IDPs Children at Kemari Flood Relief Camp
* September 10, 2010: Recreation is the fundamental right of every child. Never before, was the need for recreation felt more than at the EID MELA AT IDP’s CAMP organized on the occasion of Eid for the IDP’s children. Konpal in collaboration with Women Development Foundation, Lyari Development Project & HANDS has organized an Eid Mela for the flood affected IDP’s children.
Konpal 15 member team participated actively in the funfair mela organized on Chand Raat for women and children at IDP camp near Hawksbay, Kemari town.
Konpal members / volunteers organized a number of activities like face painting, henna application to females, games and musical programs.
Gifts were distributed to over 2000 children who attended the Eid Mela.
Konpal's Medical Camp at Gharo
* September 26, 2010: Konpal 35 members team of doctors & volunteers visited Flood relief Camp at Gharo. A number of activities were organized at the Camp including a farewel programme for the IDP’s & their children as most of the IDP’s are leaving for their home next week.
The activities include
1. MEDICAL & VACCINATION CAMP
Typhoid vaccine were given in the Camp to all children above 2 yrs of age. In addition children, women & adults were examined & provided with the medicines in the Camp. The Gynecologist in our team also paid visit to the Camp & examined those mothers & their newborn who had delivery while in the Camp & can not walk to the medical camp site. Altogether 4 medical booths were set in the camp.
The camp at Gharo are being run by World Memon Forum, Shaikhani group in collaboration with WARIS. The Total number of IDP’s in the camp were 1600. More than 50% were Children below 12 years of age.
2. HEALTH EDUCATION CAMP
A team of Konpal teachers and volunteers ran this Camp which was set up at the under construction Mosque within the Camp site. Simple health messages prepared in Urdu & Sindhi (Local language) were discussed with the Camp dwellers .The Konpal team focused on the prevention of three disease widely prevalent in this & other IDP camps namely Malaria , diarrhea & Skin diseases.
The message focused on proper method & advantage of hand washing, personal hygiene, cleaning of Camp /home surrounding & disadvantage of Gutka eating . A number of Children pledged that they will not only follow the messages but will not take Gutka any more.
One child throw away the Gutka outside the Camp & he was applauded & given present as an incentive in the farewell ceremony.
3. RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY
Realizing the importance of recreation as the fundamental right of every Child , Konpal ,kept its tradition & set up a number of recreational activities in the Camp like Dart games , football games , Face painting , Henna application etc organized to entertain Children.
In the end a musical Stage programme was organized at the Camp Site . Konpal team members & IDP’s Children enthusiastically participated & sang songs .Gift & sweet were distributed to the children.
A Snake show was the star show of the Program.Snake charmers (Saperas) families living in the IDP’s Camp set up the show which was greatly liked & applauded by all.
The programme ended with National Anthem, sang by everyone present in the Camp.
Lunch was served to all camp inmate & Konpal team members by Konpal.
It was a memorable occasion for everyone. The Camp Incharge , IDP’s Family & volunteers(which included a large number of youths) greatly appreciated Konpal effort & admitted that such a Program has never been organized before in their camp.
4. MEDIA COVERAGE
Konpal’s activities were given wide media coverage. The Konpal Chairperson advocated the issue of child protection from various media channel like PTV, EXPRESS TV, FM IO7 etc
5. KONPAL sponsored Dinner for children of SOS village Karachi.
The Dinner was hosted by Konpal at the occasion of Mendi ceremony of a two SOS village girls on 8th July 2010.
6. Seminar on Developmental issue in Childhood at Institute of Clinical Psychology (ICP) Karachi University.
Prof Aisha Mehnaz, Chairperson Konapl talked on “Impact of Child Abuse”. Dr Arshalooz Rahman (Konpal member) and Ms Shahnaz Yasin were others members who delivered talk and attended the seminar.
7. Ashoka fellows Meeting at Swat. Attended by Dr Aisha Mehnaz(AF) and Ms Shahnaz Yasin (Konpal members).
8. One day Training Workshop for Children on “Children Rights and Responsibilities and Protection from Abuse” organized at Konpal Office.
9. Konpal Members attended seminar on Rape Survivors meeting organized by WAR and meeting by PCCWD on flood emergencies on 21st and 28 Sept respectively.
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