Women’s empowerment is often associated with education, employment, and leadership opportunities. Moreover empowering women to take charge of their health is equally important.
Through the Multicomponent Hypertension Intervention (MCHI) Type III implementation-effectiveness trial, implemented under the Centre for IMPACT’s research theme on reducing cardiovascular disease risk, women in rural Sindh are gaining better awareness and access to essential health services.
The MCHI trial
The MCHI trial is being conducted in 30 clusters across the districts of Thatta and Matiari. The project aims to improve hypertension control through strengthened primary healthcare services. The trial is the scale-up of a prior proven Community-Based Multicomponent hypertension intervention tested in of Control of Blood Pressure and Risk Attenuation Rural Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka (COBRA – BPS).
The role of women in the trial
A key component of the intervention is the training of Lady Health Workers (LHWs), Lady Health Supervisors, Health Care Physicians (HCPs), and other healthcare providers. LHWs are equipped with skills to screen individuals for hypertension using digital blood pressure monitors, provide Home Health Education focused on behavioral change practices, and refer hypertensive patients to HCPs for confirmation of diagnosis and pharmacological management if required.
The view from Dr Shazia
The impact of this approach was highlighted during a refresher training session for HCPs. Dr Shazia, a physician from BHU Karam Khan Nizamani in Matiari, shared how the project is benefiting women in her community.
According to Dr Shazia, many women in rural areas often ignore symptoms such as persistent headaches and rarely seek medical attention due to limited awareness. As a result, hypertension frequently goes undiagnosed. Through the MCHI project, LHWs actively visit households, screen women for hypertension, counsel them about potential health risks, and encourage them to seek medical care. Their trusted presence within communities has helped bridge the gap between women and health facilities.
Dr Shazia also commented that referrals from LHWs have significantly increased the number of women visiting health facilities for blood pressure assessment and treatment. This collaborative relationship has strengthened trust in both community health workers and healthcare facilities.
Empowering women for real-world impact
By improving awareness, facilitating timely referrals, and encouraging women to prioritize their health, the MCHI trial is contributing to better hypertension detection and management. More importantly, it is empowering women to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, demonstrating that access to healthcare can be a powerful pathway to women’s empowerment and healthier communities.
Written by Kubra Rind (AKU).
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