RECORDER REPORT

PESHAWAR: Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), Doctors Without Borders has provided medical care to people as over 13,500 displaced families returned home from Sadda and New Durrani Camp located in Kurram Agency.

The organization opened a medical point at the embarkation point in Saddato provide primary healthcare services including Antenatal and Postnatal care to the families.

These families vacated their homes during a period of open conflict affecting the population of central Kurram tehsil.

Among them, 5,443 families were hosted in the camp established in 2011.With an improved security situation, political administration and FATA Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) have announced the return of displaced population to their homes through a repatriation process and the camp has now been closed.

MSF also provided referral for severe cases to THQ Hospital Sadda, screening for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, severe malnutrition and measles and support EPI team for vaccination.

Furthermore MSF supported a national NGO with donation of medicines and medical supplies to provide primary healthcare at arrival point to the returning population.

As the families were displaced for many years, their villages were abandoned. As a result, there is little or no healthcare provision available today.

“Following the return of the people to their homes, MSF is committed to ensuring that they have access to healthcare services. We are in the process of assessment for outreach health activities in these areas. The population is aware that they are still able to access MSF services at THQ Hospital Sadda, explains Catherine Moody, Country Representative. MSF will continue to collaborate with Ministry of Health and authorities to improve the healthcare services in Kurram Agency.