Title: Faisalabad obstetric flying squad: a four year study.

POPLINE Document Number: 108711

Author(s):

Bashir A

Source citation:

In: Maternal and infant mortality policy and interventions: Report of an international workshop at the Aga Khan University, February 7-9, 1994. [Karachi, Pakistan], Aga Khan University, 1994. :116-20.

Abstract:

The obstetric flying squad is an emergency ambulance equipped with medicines and trained staff first established by Bellshill in Lancashire in 1935 as a way of managing obstetric emergencies. The squad rushes to patients' homes in response to complications during pregnancy, labor, and puerperium in domiciliary practice, resuscitates the patient, then transfers her to the hospital for further management. Even with the best antenatal care, unexpected complications can arise at home, although the patient has been booked for hospital delivery. Flying squad service was started in Faisalabad, Pakistan, on March 16, 1988, but the first call was not until nine months later. Indications for calling the Faisalabad Obstetric Flying Squad include abortion, ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy-induced hypertension, eclampsia antepartum hemorrhage, postpartum hemorrhage, retained placenta, ruptured uterus, inversion of uterus, obstructed labor, malpresentation, primigravida, and grand multigravida. The level of maternal mortality in the city subsequently declined over the past five years to 0.77 deaths per 1000 live births, 215 maternal deaths for 276,171 total births over the five-year period. The squad received 394 calls during 1989-92, saving many lives. Relatives, traditional birth attendants, and lady health visitors are the primary callers of the flying squad.

Keywords:

Pakistan
Evaluation Report
Urban Population
Pregnant Women
Pregnancy Complications
Obstetrics
Treatment
Asia, Southern
Asia
Developing Countries
Evaluation
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Diseases
Medicine
Health Services
Delivery of Health Care
Health