Postpartum mothers at Adanchuli Rural Municipality in Humla have not received the government’s cash incentives in the last two years.

Hoijali Bumi, a local woman, said she has not received any cash even though she underwent a safe delivery at a local health institution.

“When we asked officials at the local health post about the incentive, they said they had not received any budget from the centre,” Bumi said.

According to the data of the health post in Adanchuli, 115 new mothers—33 from the fiscal year 2016-17; 19 from the fiscal year 2017-18; and 63 from the fiscal year 2018-19—have not received allowances at the local unit.

Under the government’s ‘Safe Motherhood Programme’, new mothers and their newborns are provided free medical treatment, transportation allowance and cash incentives for antenatal checkups.

There are 26 birthing centres, along with the District Hospital, in Humla. The government provides allowances to pregnant women who undergo safe delivery in health institutions. Women in the mountainous, hilly and the Tarai regions are entitled to Rs3,000, Rs2,000 and Rs1,000 respectively. Additionally, a cash bonus of Rs800 should be provided to mothers who complete all four antenatal checkups.

Anita Bumi, a local woman, said it has been a year since she gave birth, but she has yet to receive her allowances.

“I have been frequenting the health post for almost a year now, but I have not received the allowances,” Anita said.

Prayoglal Jaishi, the in-charge of the health post in Adanchuli, said the institution is unable to distribute incentives due to a lack of budget.

“We have been demanding the government to release the budget for the programme, but it has yet to do so,” said Jaishi.

Dal Fadera, chairman at Adanchuli Rural Municipality, said the lack of funds is putting the lives of new mothers and their newborns at risk.

“I have requested the provincial government to send the additional budget immediately,” said Fadera.