One hundred and twenty-two birthing centres are being operated in Baitadi to make childbirth safer for women in the district. 

Pregnant mothers, particularly in village areas, have benefited from these birthing centres because they do not have to travel a long distance for regular check-ups, said Dr Gunaraj Awasthi, chief of District Health Office (DHO).

“Our aim is to provide safe delivery and healthcare facility for both postpartum mothers and babies throughout the district within a year,” he said. 

Pratap Singh Mahara of Kataujpani-3 said pregnant women in his village had to make a journey of nearly five hours to reach the nearest health post in the past, which was troublesome and as well as risky, healthwise. 

“The establishment of birthing centre in the village has save them from the trouble,” he said.

Each birthing centre has been provided with an auxiliary nursing midwife to administer safe child delivery.  

According to the DHO, around 6,300 women in Baitadi become pregnant in a year and thanks to the birthing centres, more and more women are delivering their babies under health professionals’ supervision. In the fiscal year 2015-16, a record 68 percent of the childbirths in the district took place at health facilities against 7 percent only five years ago.

Women relieved to have female doc

DAILEKH: Women with reproductive health concerns in Dailekh are pleased  by the arrival of a female doctor at the District Health Office. Mainakala BK of Raniban used to get uncomfortable around male doctors. With the arrival of Dr Khim Kumari Neupane, BK said, she feels can share her gynaecological condition without hesitation. Like BK, other women visiting the DHO are also relieved to have a female doctor specialising on women’s health. Dr Neupane said she joined just two weeks ago and she has noticed a rise in the number of female patients.