MSF Opens New Clinic in Karachi, Pakistan's Largest City

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) together with Sina Health, Education and Welfare Trust (SINA) has opened a new clinic in Karachi’s Machar Colony to provide essential primary medical care and emergency and obstetric services.

The densely populated Machar Colony, which is situated on the periphery of the Karachi Fish Harbour, has witnessed a rapid increase in its population over the past 30 years. Pollution, population density, a lack of proper sanitation and a shortage of affordable health care have combined to heighten the vulnerability of Machar Colony residents to preventable diseases like diarrhea and respiratory tract infections.

The clinic first opened its doors in mid-October 2012, and in its first month more than 100 consultations took place daily. All medicine and medical services are free, including primary health care, 24-hour emergency servicesm and a delivery unit.

“There are many communities and diverse ethnicities present in Machar Colony, and the clinic is open to anyone needing medical attention,” said Dr. Declan Barry, MSF medical representative in Karachi.

From 2010 to 2011, MSF responded to the needs of internally displaced people who fled to Karachi after the devastating floods in the interior of Sindh province.

MSF has been working in Pakistan since 1986, with Pakistani communities and Afghan refugees affected by armed conflict and natural disasters or who lack access to medical care. MSF teams are currently providing free emergency medical care in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kurram Agency in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), and Sindh provinces.

MSF relies solely on private financial contributions from individuals around the world for its work in Pakistan, and does not accept funding from any government, donor agency or military or politically-affiliated group.