A Miracle in the Desert: Community Health Centre in Nok Kundi Saves Mother and Child

In the remote landscapes of District Chaghi, Balochistan, access to quality healthcare has long been a challenge for local communities. Today, however, a transformative initiative is changing that reality. Through a collaboration between the Reko Diq Mining Company (RDMC) and the Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN), a network of health facilities and Mobile Health Units has been established in Nok Kundi, Maskeecha, Humai, and Fensediment.

At the heart of this initiative is the Community Health & MCH Centre in Nok Kundi, which has become a lifeline for women and families living in the region. Focused on maternal and child healthcare, the centre recently witnessed a dramatic case that demonstrated the dedication and clinical expertise of its team.

The incident began when an expectant mother arrived at the facility in active labor. Upon initial assessment, the medical team identified the case as high-risk. The patient had significantly elevated blood pressure, and an ultrasound confirmed that the baby was in a breech position. Recognizing the potential complications, the team, led by the centre’s lady doctor, began arranging for the patient’s transfer to a specialized facility.

However, events took a sudden turn.

While preparations for the transfer were underway, the patient progressed rapidly into advanced labor. During examination, the attending midwife realized the patient was already fully dilated and ready to deliver, making immediate transfer unsafe. With delivery imminent, the team swiftly adapted to the situation. Despite the challenges of a breech delivery combined with maternal hypertension, the healthcare staff remained calm and focused. Through skilled intervention and coordinated teamwork, the baby was delivered safely and began breathing within the first minute of life.

For the mother, the experience felt nothing short of a miracle.

“When I arrived, I was so scared because I could feel something was wrong,” she shared. “But the staff here never left my side. They handled everything so quickly and made sure my baby was safe. Before this centre was built, we had to travel very far for help, which was dangerous for women like us. Now, with this facility so close, my child and I are both alive and healthy. I am forever thankful to the doctors and the people who built this hospital for us.”

Following the delivery, the patient developed a complication involving a retained placenta. The clinical team worked promptly to stabilize her condition. Once she was hemodynamically stable, she was accompanied by a midwife in an ambulance and transferred to the District Headquarters Hospital in Dalbandin for specialized follow-up care. After completing treatment, the mother made a full recovery.

The case highlighted the importance of skilled healthcare professionals and strong teamwork in managing critical maternal emergencies in remote areas.

Reflecting on the broader impact of the programme, Muhammad Essa Tahir, representative of RDMC, noted that the Nok Kundi centre alone has successfully managed around 77 deliveries. Across the wider RDMC–IHHN project in District Chaghi, the number of safe deliveries has reached 83. Since the programme began, the initiative has provided nearly 100,000 medical services to communities in the region.

“These numbers represent real lives—mothers and children who now have a chance for a healthier future because quality healthcare has been brought directly to their communities,” he said.

Dr. Nabeela Shahid, Director of Programme, Planning and Design at IHHN, emphasized that delivering high-quality care in remote areas remains the programme’s central mission.

“Our primary goal in a setting as remote as Nok Kundi is to ensure that distance from a major city does not compromise the quality of care,” she explained. “This case reflects why we place strong emphasis on capacity building—continuously training our midwives and lady doctors to manage complex and life-threatening complications. It is this combination of rigorous training and adherence to clinical protocols that enables our teams to act decisively and save lives, even in the most isolated areas.”

This powerful story from Nok Kundi is one of many emerging from the project—stories that demonstrate how accessible, high-quality healthcare can transform lives, even in the most remote corners of Balochistan.