SIRAHA, Jan 30: To the sheer negligence and irresponsibility of local governments and other stakeholders toward newborn and mothers' health, a birthing center at Golbazar Municipality-6 of Siraha district is running in a sorry state - a dilapidated structure with a leaky roof where a muddy surface in the rainy season and dusty in winter is commonplace.

Senior ANM at the birthing center, Mishri Kumari Shrestha, said that when it rains, the leaky roof turns menacing- the newborn and mother bear the brunt.  More worrying is the muddy surface, she added. "In summer, there is scorching heat. The roof of the zinc sheet is too hot that it is likely to jeopardize the lives of both little ones and the birth givers," she shared.

Moreover, outside the hut, the wild grass poses a threat of poisonous snakes. Health workers must stay vigilant to chase away snakes from entering the hut during rains and hot days.

ANM Shrestha said the birthing center has been in a sorry state for four years, but no upgrading till date. Although Mayor of Golbazar Municipality, Sham Kumar Shrestha, was made aware about the plight, there was no solution in sight.

Senior ANM inspector working at the birthing center since 2063BS, Sabita Shakya Panjiyar, shared similar suffering. They are forced to run the facility in a dilapidated structure- a vulnerable hut, she said. "Adding woes, the hut was encroached during road expansion. There were two beds earlier. With road expansion, one bed is removed," she explained, "In the rainy season, water drops on the newborn and mother are common, while braving brutal cold is equally challenging in winter."

In this connection, chief of Golbazar Health Post, Satya Narayan Yadav, admitted that there was no progress at all to shift the birthing center. "It is difficult for pregnant women to step inside the hut- more difficult during labor pain and delivery due to skimpy space. Two birth attendants find it tough to arrange essentials to conduct delivery," he said, adding that there is a sewage drain near the center’s gate. Anyone visiting the center has to come through the squalid place.

The health workers have been crying out for help to upgrade the birthing center, but their cries have fallen on deaf ears of concerned agencies. They worry how they could manage if the number of deliveries rises at once.

Meanwhile, asked about the pathetic situation of essential health facilities, municipal chair of Nepali Congress at Golbazar, Rajdev Saha, said it was a matter of disgrace to have such a birthing center in such a miserable state. "It is a blatant assault on the citizen's health. Golbazar Municipality must pay heed to it," he commented. 

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