SOLUKHUMBU, Jan 22: Thulung Dudhkoshi Rural Municipality of Solukhumbu has announced to provide motivation allowance to the mothers who deliver their children in hospitals. As per the provision, if a woman gives birth to her baby in a health centre or a hospital, she will receive a motivation allowance of Rs 5,000 from the rural municipality.
The decision was taken by the first village assembly of the rural municipality and has been implemented from Friday, informed by Asim Rai, chairperson of the rural municipality.
The locals were informed during a function in Panchan that this decision has already been implemented. There are altogether four birthing centers in the rural municipality. With this, Thulung Dudhkoshi has become the first rural municipality in the district to provide this facility to women.
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According to Chairperson Rai, this policy has been introduced with the objective of protecting the life of the newborn and the mother. "Still a large number of women give birth to their children at their own homes due to lack of awareness. But we need to end this," said Chairperson Rai.
Sabita Rai, vice-chairperson of the rural municipality, stressed that this program must be effectively implemented. "If all women will take this seriously, we will be able to reduce infant and maternal mortality rate," said Vice-Chairperson Rai.
This rural municipality has altogether nine wards and a total population of 19,672.
Topographical difficulties have been a great problem for people here. Despite road connectivity, very few vehicles ply the roads of ward 4, 5 and 9. As a result, locals have to walk for hours in search of health and other facilities and sometimes they even charter helicopters during an emergency.
Extreme poverty is also one of the major reasons why women deliver their children at home risking their lives. "So, if they are provided with the motivation allowance they will be encouraged to deliver their babies in hospitals," said Chairperson Rai. This decision has equally elated the locals.
"We are glad that the rural municipality took this decision. This surely will increase the number of women delivering babies in hospitals," said Bir Bahadur Rai, a local.
