In rural settings where quality maternal health care is not within easy reach, a woman’s chance of dying of pregnancy-related causes increases significantly. Having the care and guidance of a trained midwife is crucial to reducing this risk. For this reason, in the remote mountainous areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, the Aga Khan Health Services in Pakistan has been working for several decades to ensure that families have skilled midwives nearby to contribute to healthier pregnancies and safer deliveries.   

Hamshera Ahmad is a senior midwife at the Aga Khan Medical Centre in Gilgit (AKMC,G). She has been working with the Aga Khan Health Services in Pakistan for more than 25 years in different facilities across Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral.

Over the years, Hamshera has conducted more than 5,000 normal deliveries and referred many high-risk cases to a consulting obstetrician to save the lives of both mother and infant. Involved in managing many complicated cases at AKMC,G, she supports the obstetric team with her advanced skills, experience and competence. She has also supervised and mentored more than 1,000 midwives during this time.    

According to the AKMC,G Obstetrics/Gynaecology Department Head: “Hamshera is an excellent team member in the labour room. When she is on duty, she gives her 100% to encourage the mothers for normal delivery.”