Bardibas Hospital in Bardibas Municipality, Mahottari has recently started providing maternity services.

Before this, pregnant women from Bardibas and surrounding areas had to go to Janakpur or Kathmandu for delivery, as the municipality did not have a single maternity hospital.

Local residents are elated with the upgrade in Bardibas Hospital, which was recently shifted to a new building.

“Pregnant women in the municipality are happy with the added services at the hospital,” said Chandra Rai, a local resident. “Bardibas women can now get safe delivery done in their own local unit.”

Besides adding maternity services, the hospital has also started providing lab services, OPD services and 24-hour emergency services.

“Maternity services, including surgery and major operations, would be started within a month as the hospital is managing the medical supplies and medicines required for surgeries,” said Vidhan Chandra Jha, medical superintendent of Bardibas Hospital.

At present, the hospital has nine doctors, six staff nurses, four community health auxiliaries (CMA) and three health assistants. The hospital says it lacks the required manpower to provide essential services.

Along with the services, the hospital has also worked on cleanliness, including that of its surroundings. Health workers conduct a sanitation campaign every Friday to maintain hygiene at the hospital. And under the leadership of Bardibas Municipality Mayor Bidur Karki, hundreds of trees have been planted around the hospital.

The Dhulikhel Community Hospital in Kavre has agreed to provide technical assistance to Bardibas Hospital for its improvement.

Dr Biraj Karmacharya of Dhulikhel Hospital has committed to training health workers of Bardibas Hospital. A technical team has been sent to Bardibas to operate the lab.