Beyond the floodwaters: IHHN’s unwavering commitment to Pakistan’s flood victims

The 2025 floods in Pakistan have unleashed a humanitarian crisis. With over 1,037 lives lost, 1,067 injured, and 6.9 million people affected, the catastrophe has swept across entire districts, destroying homes, livestock, and livelihoods. An estimated 2.8–3 million people have been displaced or evacuated, while 150,000 individuals remain in evacuation centres. The scale of physical destruction is alarming, with nearly 230,000 houses damaged or destroyed, 1.2–2.2 million hectares of cropland inundated, and 22,800 livestock animals lost, undermining both food security and income sources for already vulnerable communities.

As the disaster spread across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, cutting off towns and villages and overwhelming the public health infrastructure, Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) emerged as one of the most critical responders on ground. In emergency situations where access becomes the greatest barrier, IHHN’s deep grassroots footprint and experience with large-scale crises make its intervention not only immediate but lifesaving. This year’s devastating floods reaffirmed the crucial role of a healthcare network that can reach populations isolated by rising waters, damaged roads, and collapsing infrastructure.

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Among the most vulnerable groups during the floods were pregnant women, newborns, and young families, many of whom were left without access to essential maternal health services. Understanding the urgency, IHHN mobilised its most specialised resource: Maternal Health on Wheels, a fleet of fully equipped mobile units designed to deliver comprehensive maternal, newborn, and child healthcare directly to displaced communities.

These state-of-the-art units include equipped labour rooms, antenatal and postnatal services, MNCH care, primary health clinics, free medicines, gynecological consultations, and mental health counselling for women and adolescent girls experiencing trauma. In response to the magnitude of the emergency, 15 Maternal Health Units have been deployed across flood-hit provinces.

From August to November, IHHN’s flood relief campaign delivered extraordinary impact:

• 19 districts served across KPK and Punjab

• 835 camps held

• 150,641 patients treated

• 1,770 medical visits

• 22,867 laboratory tests conducted

• 7 safe deliveries performed through mobile maternal units

Behind these numbers are deeply human stories, stories like that of 28-year-old Taj Mai in Alipur, Muzaffargarh. For 15 days, gynecologist Dr Misbah Khalid and her team had been stationed at the Health on Wheels unit, providing round-the-clock maternal care in an area where services had collapsed.

On 23 October, Taj delivered a healthy baby boy inside the mobile clinic.

“IHHN’s team and this maternal facility are a miracle for people like us,” she said. “There is no such facility in our area… and because of IHHN’s care and supervision, I delivered a healthy baby boy today.”

After her delivery, Taj received eight hours of postnatal monitoring, free medicines, a baby kit, and transportation, services unimaginable in her flood-ravaged surroundings. “IHHN is here to help us in such a crucial time,” she added. “My whole family and I are extremely grateful.”

Such stories reflect the heart of IHHN’s mission: to reach the unreached, especially when public health systems are strained beyond capacity.

As IHHN continues its nationwide flood response, its work is made possible through the generosity of individuals and institutions who believe in equitable healthcare. Among its strongest supporters are the trustees, donors, and community members of The Indus Hospital, UAE, whose unwavering commitment has played a critical role in ensuring that flood-hit families across Pakistan receive timely medical care.

The Indus Hospital, registered with Dubai Humanitarian in the UAE, plays a vital role in supporting free treatment at IHHN through fundraising, awareness initiatives, and community engagement. This work aligns strongly with the UAE’s commitment to global healthcare and humanitarian causes, reflecting the nation’s dedication to philanthropy and aid across borders. This support has strengthened IHHN’s ability to respond rapidly, compassionately, and effectively, bringing hope to millions navigating the hardest chapters of their lives.