Neha Mankani, the founder of Mama Baby Fund, was included in the Climate Pioneers category
of the 2023 BBC 100 Women list in recognition of her tireless efforts and MBF’s welfare
initiatives during the devastating floods that struck Pakistan in 2022. Neha’s inclusion highlights
the critical role of midwives in communities facing climate-related disasters. She joined a list of
notable women such as Michelle Obama, Amal Clooney, Gloria Steinem, America Ferrera,
Huda Kattan, and more.
Mama Baby Fund is a registered non-profit society for maternal and neonatal health care in Pakistan.
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I am the proud founder of Mama Baby Fund, initially established as a small friends and family welfare fund back in 2015. At the time, I was working as a midwife in a maternity hospital in Karachi, where I witnessed countless families grappling with financial barriers that prevented them from accessing the quality maternal and neonatal healthcare they deserved. I began by assisting a few families with their modest financial needs, such as covering the costs of tests for babies in the ICU or providing clothes for those who lacked them during childbirth. The range of assistance we offered was diverse, ranging from something as basic as providing nourishing meals for pregnant women who couldn’t afford them, to something as critical as procuring life-saving blood transfusions for women on the brink of post-delivery haemorrhage. Despite my years of experience in the health ecosystem of Pakistan, I was astonished by how poverty played such a significant role in the maternal health crisis. Witnessing the tragic number of women and babies losing their lives due to their inability to afford healthcare compelled me to take immediate action.
What began as a modest fund addressing financial gaps for women at a single hospital has now evolved into a thriving initiative that has impacted over 15,000 families across multiple facilities throughout the country. This progress has been made possible by our dedicated team and the unwavering support of our donors, who have stood by us for nearly a decade.
In our relentless pursuit of promoting equity in access to maternal and neonatal healthcare, we have expanded our reach to address climate emergencies and support communities affected by the climate crisis. This includes providing health services and essential birthing supplies to communities devastated by floods and natural disasters. Moreover, we have established a comprehensive maternal and neonatal health program for climate-affected fisherfolk communities along the coasts and islands of Karachi. Through our midwife-run clinic at Baba Island, referral program in Karachi, and the first boat ambulance in the area, we are actively serving these communities.
Mama Baby Fund is a small organization with an enormous impact, revolutionizing maternal health outcomes for families and entire communities. We are immensely grateful for the trust and support we receive from our communities and donors. We encourage you to join us in raising awareness about the state of maternal health and advocating for the necessary measures to ensure that respectful and quality healthcare becomes an inalienable right for all mothers and babies in Pakistan. Together, we can make a lasting difference.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment and support.
Neha Mankani