DHADING, March 13: Seven months ago, Thamelimaya Tamang, 21, of Gajuri Rural Municipality-4 lost her life after being unable to deliver her child. There was no health post in the village, nor any ambulance service to carry her to the health center of another village. Hence, she lost her life due to delivery complications.

Many other women in the village have been to near death situations due to the lack of transportation, poor financial status, no access to health facility among other reasons. Recently, an infant died in Archale of Gajuri due to delay in treatment. This area constitutes mostly of people from the Chepang and Tamang communities. Most women here deliver their babies at home, which in turn is the reason behind the growing infant, and maternal mortality rate, says a local, Bishnu Chepang.

"As there are no health posts, women are obliged to deliver babies at home which has caused several unfortunate deaths," said Bishnu, adding, "If there was a health post in our village or if we had an ambulance service for timely treatment, no one would have to risk their lives."

Considering all these problems, Gajuri Rural Municipality recently started providing free ambulance service to pregnant women. The local unit has also established a delivery waiting room for pregnant women. This has elated the locals.

Rajendra Bikram Basnet, chairperson of Gajuri stated that the women in remote areas would be prioritized while providing this service. "Now, no woman will have to lose her life due to the lack of treatment on time," assured Chairperson Basnet.

Meanwhile, the rural municipality has also expedited the process for the establishment of health posts in each ward along with birthing centers. The local unit is currently operating delivery waiting rooms at Gajuri Bazar and Pida Health Post. Preparations are underway to open another in Kiranchowk.

Women who have been given dates of delivery by the doctors are kept in such rooms. The rural municipality will bear all the expenses of the pregnant women during their stay in the waiting rooms. In order to make all women aware about this facility, the local unit of late has begun promoting the ambulance service and the waiting room through women health workers.Not just that, health workers convincing women to go to the waiting rooms and deliver babies at health centers will also receive certain amount from the local unit.

 
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