Subh-e-Nau Rehabilitation Center

Subh-e-Nau (SN) is a registered charity with the Securities Exchange Commission of Pakistan, with the most transparent systems and accounts open to the public. The organization has been active in many environmental and public health projects.

We have rich experience of rehabilitating deserving people including sportsmen with medical and surgical problems over the last 15 years.

Post Earthquake 08/10: SNRC Rehabilitation Strategy
After initial rescue and medical attention, a sea of disabled lay littered in hospitals and makeshift convalescence centers. A whole generation died, while the surviving disabled.

The situation
• Conservative estimates by international organizations are 100,000. The Government’s confirmed figure is more than 73,000.

• Studies at key hospitals by expert demographers showed: 58% with serious trauma to the pelvis and lower limbs, while at least 15% patients needing neurosurgical intervention. 5% of the total injured are estimated to have Spinal Cord Injuries. Estimated number of injured: 50,000.

• Physically disabled in the country: 6 million.

• Physically disabled in northern parts near Islamabad/Rwp: more than 3.5 million. Islamabad is the catchment area for patients from both provinces.

SN Rehab Center’s Program

Interventions
SNRC brought the issue to the fore with interventions at all levels:
• Emergency preparedness: Working with the 5 major hospitals in the region, SN with generous help from donors, helped equip hospitals with medical and surgical supplies, and opening new operating theatres.

• Needs assessments: Undertook various studies on injuries, trauma, future needs, and the trends for seeking health care in such a situation. This helped guide interventions and implement programs effectively with utmost efficiency.

• Policy level: The Government was made to realize that long terms interventions were needed if these victims are not to turn into lifelong beggars, and to rehabilitate them to become useful members of the society.

A comprehensive long term program was put into place to cater to the emergency needs and to target upcoming rehab problems.

Rehab Center
The SN Rehab Center has a fully equipped neuro and ortho rehab gym, with 2 multipurpose rooms (electrotherapy, counseling, etc), with another 2 rooms serving international teams for accommodation.

Outreach Team
A fully equipped mobile team is currently working with 100 patients at one of the major hospitals in collaboration with international and national experts. The team members comprise of 2 doctors, 3 PTs (also trained in basic OT), and 6 psychologists (also trained in VT and basic PT).

Sites of Work
• Holy Family Hospital and allied teaching hospitals
• PIMS
• Children’s hospital
• Melody Center
• Cantonment General Hospital
• H11 Camp City

Services/functions

• Medical and Surgical services in collaboration with different tertiary care hospitals
• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Psychological support
• Vocational assessment/therapy and skills training
• Equipment: prostheses, orthoses, crutches, wheel chairs, etc.
• Long term support
• Referral Services
• Coordinating treatment in and between 5 major hospitals in the region
• One stop solution for people with SCIs – from getting admitted to accessing services at public facilities and the center
• One stop solution for “patients fallen out of the system” – patients who were not able to register within the first 2 weeks of the disaster are not offered free health care services.
• Capacity building of local providers – both from public and private sector
• Research – operations/efficiency and needs assessments
• Advocacy for the cause of disability in the country
• Speech Therapy Services – tentatively planned

Future Plans
• Community based rehab (CBR) projects for physically disabled including SCI patients, which forms more than 50% of all disability in Pakistan, are in the planning phase.
• Custom built facility adapted to local needs and resources focusing on SCI rehab and other physical disabilities
• Inpatient Unit and Outreach Clinics in earthquake affected areas using E-medicine Satellite Link; “Tele-rehab Relay unit”
• Teaching and research facility for building capacity
• State of the art trauma center

Collaborations
SN’s program is guided by national and international experts in the field of rehabilitation. National level organizations and individuals include universities, hospitals and NGOs, media organizations, while individuals include technocrats, health systems analysts, demographers, neurologists, anesthesiologists, child psychologists, psychologists, orthopedic specialists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, clinicians from various specialities, etc.

International organizations are mainly from Canada, including University of Toronto’s International Center for Disability and Rehabilitation (ICDR) and Queens University’s International Center for the Advancement of Community Based Rehabilitation (ICACBR).

For details:

Dr. Jawad Chishtie, Email: jac161@yahoo.com

Updated: 01 Sep 06