Hasina is very excited about the new arrival

Thank you for providing comprehensive antenatal care to twenty-one-year old Hasinakaur (Hasina).

Hasina has recently found out that she is expecting her second child!  Hasina lives with her mother-in-law, father-in-law and sister-in-law, along with her husband and toddler son in a small hut in a slum in Pune.  Her husband does ironwork on the side of the road, and earns about 2,000 rupees ($40) each month to support his family.  His income is not enough to pay for unexpected or additional expenses, such as Hasina’s pregnancy, so Hasina was very glad that she was able to sign up for free, comprehensive antenatal care through AIC, at a Health and Community Centre near her home.  Through this program, Hasina is provided with support, guidance and medical care throughout the duration of her pregnancy.  She also has the option of coming to the Centre for mid-day meals and nutritional supplementation, as chronic anemia and poor nutrition is common among women in her community.  Hasina particularly appreciates the presence of AIC’s social worker and community health worker, who accompany her to doctor appointments and assist her with any sort of paperwork or bureaucracy along the way.  Often, uneducated women from the slum are treated poorly by doctors, and having the support and advocacy of an educated, well-spoken community health worker by her side at appointments gives Hasina the confidence she needs to voice her questions and concerns as well.  Hasina is very excited about her new arrival!