RLCC believes that among the many responsibilities that women undertake, their roles as child bearers and primary care givers are among the most influential ones, and as mothers they become important influencers in the lives of their families at all levels. Thus, they can become agents of change given sufficient opportunity, exposure, and training.

The Promotive and Preventive Health Program involves a dedicated team of experienced Field Workers, trained by Ziauddin University and Hospital, who conduct awareness programs. In specified areas, each field worker inducts a woman from the community to become a group leader who then holds regular meetings in her own home where her neighbors can voice their everyday concerns. This not only allows us to build trust within the community but also fosters a sense of empowerment amongst the women. There are nine outreach workers who focus on different issues in selected areas of Shah Faisal Town. These are all lower income areas where residents are lacking in awareness as well as access to health care.

Field workers go to the community, identify issues, and solve problems within their limited resources. They provide awareness on hygiene, health, family planning and other health related issues. Breast cancer Awareness and Hepatitis B are areas of special focus. Our efforts include:

• In collaboration with the Health Foundation and GAVI Alliance the RLCC conducted an immunization and awareness program relating to Hepatitis B in schools throughout Shah Faisal Town. In 2010 RLCC  vaccinated 14,200 school children ranging from 5 to 18 years of age.
• The RLCC field staff has been trained by Aahung on matters related to sexual health and child sexual abuse. Having a captive audience, the opportunity is used to conduct awareness talks on sexual health with teachers, parents, and students.
• RLCC Workers participated in a project on Breast Cancer Awareness in Pakistan. The project has been developed by Dr. Sughra Raza from Brigham Women’s Hospital in Boston and is titled: “Bearers and Opportunities for Breast Cancer Screening in Pakistan” in association with Indus Hospital Research Centre. This project helps to evaluate the attitude towards Breast Cancer amongst patients and practicing GPs throughout Karachi. The survey included 100 GPs and 200 women and took 6 weeks to complete with the help of RLCC workers.
• Also in 2010, in collaboration with JPMC, 500 children were given Measles vaccinations, and in collaboration with Aga Khan Research Centre a number of women were given pap smears in Shah Faisal Town.

Growth Chart
Field workers visited the community and monitored the growth of children from birth to 3 years of age. Growth Charts to follow the development of children in the community have been developed by the Ziauddin University and Hospital. The parents of underweight children were asked to visit the Health Centre for guidance and further monitoring.

Data Sheets
RLCC has been involved in data collection over the past few years. Surveyors for this activity consist of nine Field workers who fill in family data sheets. Each worker covers 600 families.

Annexure 1: Health Talks
Annexure 2: Mobile Camp Details
Annexure 3: Report of Clinic (Aug 08 to July 09)
Annexure 4: Other Programs Scheduled in Phase II
Annexure 5: Annexure 5: RLCC Outreach Activities 2010
Annexure 6: RLCC Clinic Vaccination Report 2010
Annexure 7: RLCC Clinic and Outreach Contraceptives Distribution Report (Jan 2010 to Dec 2010)
Annexure 8: RLCC Clinic Report: Jan 2010 to Dec 2010