When we were in the Northern areas, we got to witness how people lived in the most remotest areas.

For those living high in the mountains, they have to face extreme cold temperatures. To make matters worse they do not have heating or electricity, something we in the developed world take for granted. Many a times I witnessed an entire family huddled around a stove in the center of the room. Young kids would gather wood and twigs in order to keep the fire going.

For those living in isolated villages, it takes at least two hours to get to the nearest health center. Imagine if there is a medical emergency (ex. heart attack) and the individual needs to be taken to a hospital right away. As a cardiac nurse working in a hospital, I have everything at my disposal in case of medical emergencies like this. As you can tell working in conditions like these is no easy task. Thankfully, Aga Khan Health Services, Pakistan in collaboration with the government has and is continuing to train community birth attendants, health workers and lady health workers. Therefore, a pregnant mother does not need to deliver at a health center if a trained birth attendant is present and residing within that community.

Living close to the mountains come with multiple risk factors. For example, as the glaciers melt the road conditions become treacherous. Landslides and mudslides make it difficult to access the only road leading to the city center, where one can find health centers, stores, etc...
If these roads are accessible, they are extremely narrow and dangerous with sharp curves. Night driving is next to impossible.

Even in Karachi, where living conditions are not always "first world standards," I am extremely thankful for all of life's little and big pleasures.