JUMLA, Feb 23 :A year ago, 18-year-old Anjana Jaisi of Guthichaur Rural Municipality-4 tied the nuptial knot. Now she has a four months baby in her womb. Though there is a health post in her locality, she still prefers going to the Teaching Hospital based in the district headquarters Khalanga by walking almost for two hours.
Like many other women, she believes pregnant women will be haunted if they visited the local health post. Even after the introduction of federal structure, these women lament that they still lack quality health services and are not aware about the government provisions.
Maya Jaisi of Guthichaur delivered her baby at her home. She was unaware about the importance of regular health checkups and diet, which must be followed during pregnancy. "I was unaware about the government's provision allowance to women who deliver their babies at health institutions," said Maya.
‘Labor rooms’ set up in Dhading villages for safe motherhood
She now has one and a half years old son. Recently, a team of representatives, government officials and health workers reached Guthichaur to meet pregnant women. During the interaction program, local women opened up about their miseries during pregnancy.
As per the provision, women who deliver their babies at health institutions are provided with warm clothes for them and their newborns. Not just that, they also receive Rs 3,000 as transportation expenses and if they complete four checkups during pregnancy, they will be provided with an additional Rs 800. However, most women lamented that they have been deprived of the allowance assured by the government.
Hari Bahadur Bhandari, chairperson of the rural municipality suggested to the women to deliver their babies at health institutions with trained work force. "Our rural municipality has planned to introduce programs prioritizing pregnant women," said Bhandari, adding, "This meeting has made us realize the actual situation and now we will try to make sure that every child is delivered at a health center." According to him, the attempt is aimed at reducing the infant mortality rate.
Bhandari claimed that in case of complicated delivery, pregnant women would be airlifted to well-equipped hospitals following the recommendation of the ward office and the Air Ambulance Recommendations Committee of the rural municipality.
On December 19, 2018, Ramudevi Budha of Guthichaur suffered from extreme labor pain for three days. She was later being rushed to Khalanga when she delivered her baby on the way. As the health organization was nearby, she was saved but her newborn died. This was not the first time a woman had to lose her baby or risk her life due to the lack of accessible health service.
Meanwhile, Jaggi Prasad Jaisi, chief of Guthichaur-4, announced that the local unit will provide ambulance service at the doorsteps of pregnant women.
