Stronger Families Through Bettter Health
HHRDβs Healthcare & Nutrition Program delivers essential medical care and medicines to vulnerable communities, helping children and families live healthier, stronger lives.
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Healthcare and Nutrition
23
Countries
12,228
Cataract Surgeries in 2024
535,176
Total Beneficiaries in 2024
Give the Gift of Sight with HHRD
Our flagship Prevention of Blindness program operates in 20 countries and serves 6 different refugee populations, making it one of our most widespread initiatives. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide, yet surgery is often too expensive for vulnerable communities.
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FAQ
As a leader to empower lives, creating opportunities and strengthen the bond of humanity.
What is the Healthcare and Nutrition program?
The Healthcare and Nutrition program provides an array of health services to poor, vulnerable, and excluded communities around the world. Its main focus areas include providing healthcare to underserved and disaster-hit communities, maternal and child healthcare, prevention of blindness, emergency medical response and patient transportation.
What kind of healthcare services are provided?
The program serves through a number of Health & Nutrition Clinics, Mobile Medical Units, Ambulances, Mobile Dental Clinic, Mother and Child Healthcare Center, Neonatal Care, Immunizations, General and Specialized Medical Camps, Eye Clinics & Outreach Camps for Cataract Surgeries, Mental Health & Psychosocial Support, and more. The primary interventions supported are:
1. Prevention of Blindness through Cataract Surgeries
2. Primary Healthcare & Nutrition Services
3. Mother & Child Health Care
4. Emergency Medical Relief in disaster hit areas
5. Mobile Medical and Dental Care
6. General & Specialized Medical Camps
7. Ambulance Service
Which countries does the program operate in?
The Healthcare and Nutrition program has interventions in 22 countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya, Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Mali, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia/ Somaliland, Togo, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, India, Lebanon, Jordan, Morocco, Syria, Nepal, Indonesia, Cambodia
Does the program support people with disabilities?
Yes, the program has modified ambulances to provide accessible transportation for children with disabilities. It also works closely with the Children with Disabilities program and Comprehensive Physical Rehabilitation Program to provide integrated health and nutrition services.
How does the program ensure that the most vulnerable communities are served?
HHRD interventions are focused on reaching out to the most in need, therefore, we select geographical areas like refugee camps, internal displacement camps, urban slums and rural areas. Some of the examples are: Syrian, Palestinian, Yemeni, Iraqi, Sudanese, Ethiopian, Congolese, Somali, Rohingya Refugees in different countries; disaster-hit and internally displaced communities in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia/Somaliland, Ethiopia, Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Morocco, etc.
Our service delivery method also includes going deep into rural areas to places where aid typically does not reach. For this purpose, we have Mobile Medical Units in Pakistan,Β Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Kenya, fully equipped Medical Dental Units in Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh and a fleet of Ambulances in Pakistan. We also partner with local schools, hospitals, governments, councils and organizations to identify communities that need assistance and organize Medical Camps with their support.
Furthermore, orphaned and disable children and their families, women and elderly are the primary audience to support.
How does the program address maternal and child health?
In Pakistan, the program has been running a full-fledged Mother and Child Healthcare (MCH) Center in Utra Kalan village, District Mianwali since 2011 that provides quality ante-natal and post-natal care, safe delivery services, neonatal care, immunizations, and nutritional supplements for malnourished women and children. Additionally, the program has been supporting the District Hospital Mithi, a remote area in deserts of Tharparkar Sindh since 2014, initially helped in establishing the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and then providing a team of technicians to run it 24/7.
Outreach community MCH services are also provided through specialized camps in urban slums of Karachi and different parts of many countries including, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Kenya. In addition, a specialized project is implemented since 2022 for the treatment of Uterine Prolapse, a devastating condition prevalent amongst the rural women in Nepal.
What is the Prevention of Blindness (POB) initiative?
The Prevention of Blindness is a flagship project that organizes eye camps, provides primary eye care, prescribes eyeglasses, and performs free cataract surgeries for people who cannot afford treatment.
Who are the beneficiaries of POB?
Prevention of blindness project operates in 20 countries, and also supports 8 different refugee populations. Though, there is no age restriction, its beneficiaries are typically older people suffering from or at risk of blindness due to development of cataracts.
Is there age limit or any other criteria to be eligible for cataract surgery?
There is no age limit to avail the services of the project including the cataract surgery. However, the patient must be physically fit to undergo surgery without significant risks due to any other condition. They must also be financially qualified (i.e. unable to afford surgery on their own). Mandatory screening examination is performed prior to recommending for
surgery or other appropriate support.
How does the program respond to emergencies and disasters?
The program deploys mobile medical units, sets up temporary clinics, and provides emergency transportation services in areas affected by natural disasters, conflicts, or other emergencies.
What are Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) and where do they operate?
Mobile Medical Units are equipped healthcare facilities on wheels that bring primary healthcare services directly to remote and underserved areas. HHRD operates 8 MMUs across 4 countries: Pakistan (4 units), Afghanistan (2 units), Morocco (1 unit), and Kenya (1 unit). These units are staffed with male and female healthcare providers, technicians, pharmacists, and support staff to provide comprehensive care.
What services do Mobile Medical Units provide?
MMUs offer a wide range of services including:
β’ Primary healthcare services and regular medical checkups
β’ Health screening and preventive care
β’ Laboratory testing and diagnostic services
β’ Free medication
β’ Health and hygiene awareness and education
β’ Emergency medical response in disaster-affected areas
How extensive is the Mobile Dental Clinic project?
The Mobile Dental Clinic primarily operates in Coxβs Bazar refugee camps in Bangladesh, serving Rohingya refugees and the local population since 2018. It provides comprehensive oral healthcare across multiple camps (7, 8/E, 9, 14, 15, and 16), addressing the significant need. Approximately 65% of refugees experience oral health issues.
How do Mobile Medical Units adapt to different emergency situations?
MMUs are designed to be flexible and responsive to various crisis situations. For example:Β
β’ In Morocco, a mobile unit was deployed immediately after the devastating 2023 earthquake to serve survivors in affected areas
β’ In Afghanistan, two units specifically serve vulnerable populations including orphans, widows, and disabled individuals across five provinces.
β’ In Kenya, the MMU was re-launched in 2024 after nearly ten years to address gaps in healthcare access in remote areas.
What ambulance services does HHRD provide?
HHRD operates ambulance fleets in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya, and Palestine with a total of 18 units. These ambulances serve multiple purposes:
1. Emergency medical response with rapid response units equipped with portable ventilators
2. Safe and affordable transportation services for medical needs
3. Regular transportation for children with disabilities to scheduled appointments at rehab centers through the Children With Disabilities Program (CWDP)
How does the program ensure sustainable healthcare access?
In addition to mobile services, the program establishes regular health facilities, strengthens existing hospitals and clinics through equipment and staff support, and partners with local organizations to provide culturally-competent care.
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HHRD currently supports 2,700 children with disabilities across Pakistan, Jordan, Kenya, and Afghanistan. These children often face marginalization due to poverty, prejudice, and lack of services, preventing them from fully participating in society. Your contribution of $720 per year, or $60 per month, can help provide essential care, education, and opportunities, giving these children a chance to thrive with dignity and hope.
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