Pregnant Women Struggle In Pakistan’s Heatwave As Climate Crisis Deepens

On a densely populated island off Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, pregnant women endure a grueling heatwave while waiting for the only midwife, Neha Mankani, to arrive from the mainland. Each week, Mankani travels by boat ambulance to Baba Island, an overcrowded fishing settlement with around 6,500 residents packed into just 0.15 square kilometers (0.06 square miles).

Why This Matters: Climate change is exacerbating the situation by raising sea levels and increasing temperatures. Before Mankani's boat ambulance service was launched last year, expectant mothers were stranded, vulnerable to the harsh weather conditions.

Zainab Bibi, a 26-year-old resident, is pregnant again after a miscarriage last summer. She recalls a particularly hot day when she struggled to reach the mainland hospital. "It was a very hot day, I was not feeling well," she said. After hours of negotiating with boat owners, she finally reached the hospital, but it was too late to save her baby.

Pakistan is experiencing increasingly severe and frequent heatwaves, with temperatures recently reaching 52°C (126°F). Mankani, 38, emphasizes that "climate change doesn't affect everyone equally," noting the heightened risks for pregnant women, newborns, and postpartum women. During summer, she observes more low-birth weights, preterm births, and pregnancy losses.

Research published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology last year confirms that exposure to high temperatures increases the risk of stillbirth. Pakistan's maternal mortality rate remains high, with 154 women dying for every 100,000 live births. This is influenced by socioeconomic status, healthcare access, and limited decision-making power among young women, according to the United Nations.

Mankani began her career 16 years ago in a Karachi hospital, treating high-risk pregnancies, often from the nearby islands. In 2015, she founded the Mama Baby Fund, setting up the first clinics on these islands. "Everyone opened their homes to us," she said. Last year, the free 24/7 boat ambulance service began, essential for navigating the increasingly flood-prone region.

Sabira Rashid, 26, recently gave birth to her daughter Eesha, following a stillbirth and a miscarriage. She blames her previous losses on delayed access to the hospital. "At the dock, they make us wait because they don't want to ferry only two or three people," she said.

The islands face rising and polluted waters, with girls often married as young as 16 due to economic pressures. "Most of these girls don't know how to take care of themselves," said Shahida Sumaar, an assistant at the clinic. During heatwaves, they advise young mothers on basic hygiene and hydration practices to protect their health and that of their newborns.

Key Takeaways:

• Pregnant women endure severe heatwaves on overcrowded Pakistani island.
• Climate change exacerbates risks for pregnant women and newborns.
• Boat ambulance service crucial for timely medical access on islands.
• High maternal mortality rate due to limited healthcare and socioeconomic factors.
• Young mothers receive essential health advice during heatwaves.