Paper details
| Paper authors | Faiza Rab 1, Ahmad Wehbi 1, Asma Hasnat 2 , Salim Sohani 1, Chelvi Singeswaran 1, Mohammad Aliyar Ifftikar 2 |
| In panel on | Building Climate-Resilient Health Systems in Humanitarian Crises: Examples from Research and Practice |
| Paper presenter(s) will be presenting | In-Person & Online |
Abstract
Background: The 2022 Pakistan floods resulted in a humanitarian crisis that affected 650,000 pregnant women mainly in Sindh region by limiting their access to healthcare. This research examines the effects of Multi-Purpose Cash (MPC) support on healthcare accessibility and alleviating financial burden for families affected by the disaster.
Methods: A mixed-methods research design used quantitative baseline (May-June 2024) and endline (August-November 2024) surveys across more than 100 villages in Sindh. The study used quantitative methods to evaluate healthcare access and expenditure and preferences alongside qualitative content analysis of five case studies to examine economic and health barriers.
Results: The implementation of MPC led to substantial improvements in both economic stability and health service usage. Food emerged as the primary concern among respondents (54% to 99%) while access to nutritious food increased from 21% to 97% and the number of daily meals rose from 19% to 74%. The total healthcare expenses increased substantially from PKR 2,644 to PKR 7,066 which led to better access to both public and private healthcare facilities and regular doctor consultations. Emergency visits decreased. The financial difficulties persisted as people resorted to borrowing money and skipping meals as coping mechanisms.
Conclusion: The implementation of MPC resulted in substantial improvements for health outcomes, food security and economic stability improvements. The research indicates that financial support should be combined with structural, health education, and psychological support. The 'cash plus' model should be implemented to address barriers while enhancing health literacy and promoting cross-sector collaboration for achieving equitable and lasting well-being.
