Neha Mankani is one of the BBC 100 Women of the Year in 2023. BBC 100 Women list names 100 influential and inspiring women around the world every year. The BBC has revealed its annual list of 100 inspiring and influential women worldwide for 2023.
She is helping mothers gain access to basic health and neonatal care in Pakistan. Neha is a LUMS graduate-turned-midwife and the founder of the Mama Baby Fund. The goal of Mama Baby Fund is to provide emergency funds for maternal and neonatal healthcare essentials.
The Mama Baby Fund serves as a “rapid response fund for emergency needs that women and their families don’t account for in maternal and gynecological care such as preterm birth, incubator fees, extra medicine costs, and multiple bags of blood. It also responds to in-kind needs with newborn clothes, diapers, baby oil, supplements for the mother etc”.
Founded in 2015 by Neha Mankani, Mama Baby Fund originated as a modest friends and family welfare initiative, driven by Neha’s experiences as a midwife in a Karachi maternity hospital. Witnessing the financial struggles of numerous families in accessing essential maternal and neonatal healthcare, Neha took the initiative to provide assistance, ranging from basic necessities to critical medical support.
Over the years, Mama Baby Fund has grown into a thriving initiative, impacting over 15,000 families across multiple facilities in Pakistan. This success is attributed to the dedicated team and steadfast support from donors who have been with them for nearly a decade.
In their commitment to promoting equity in maternal and neonatal healthcare access, Mama Baby Fund has expanded its scope to address climate emergencies, providing health services and essential supplies to communities affected by floods and natural disasters. Their comprehensive maternal and neonatal health program for climate-affected fisherfolk communities in Karachi includes a midwife-run clinic, a referral program, and the region’s first boat ambulance.
Despite being a small organization, Mama Baby Fund has made a significant impact, revolutionizing maternal health outcomes for families and entire communities. Neha Mankani and her team express immense gratitude for the trust and support they’ve received, inviting others to join in raising awareness about maternal health and advocating for measures that ensure respectful and quality healthcare as an inalienable right for all mothers and babies in Pakistan. Together, they believe in making a lasting difference.
Forceful Eviction
Regrettably, it is shared with a heavy heart that Mama Baby Fund (MBF) faced a forceful eviction from the cherished Baba Island Clinic, following prolonged harassment from the landlord. This clinic, more than just a medical facility, has been a haven for the past 10 months, providing essential maternal health services to women across the islands.
It is essential to highlight MBF’s Baba Island program, which plays a crucial role in providing maternal, newborn, and gynecological care to women and babies residing on Baba, Shamspir, Bhit, and other coastal islands off Kemari. This initiative operates through an on-site clinic at Baba Island and a referral program at partner hospitals in Karachi.
Notably, Mama Baby Fund has further enhanced its impact by launching the area’s first sea ambulance service. This innovative service connects island communities to the city in medical emergencies through a purpose-built boat ambulance, demonstrating MBF’s commitment to overcoming challenges and ensuring access to healthcare services for those in need.
The forced eviction of Mama Baby Fund (MBF) from their cherished Baba Island Clinic is not only disheartening but also raises concerns about the challenges non-profit organizations face in providing essential services to vulnerable communities. The clinic, more than just a medical facility, served as a vital hub for maternal health services for the past 10 months, creating a tangible impact on the lives of women and babies across the islands.
The eviction highlights the broader issues of harassment and instability that grassroots organizations often confront, hindering their ability to carry out critical community work. It is a stark reminder of the uphill battles faced by those committed to making a positive difference in the lives of others, particularly when confronted with external pressures.
We have reached out to them to learn more about their story.
You can donate here:
Account Title: Mama Baby Foundation
Ac # 1003-0981-083006-01-5
Bank Al Habib, Shahrah e faisal branch
IBAN: PK89 BAHL 1003 0981 0830 0601
