Despite the government’s policy of reducing home delivery to zero, women in the rural areas of Jumla often give birth unsafely at home. There is no birthing center nearby. There are no means of transportation or help to carry these women to hospitals. There is no road for vehicles leading to hospitals and health posts. Because of this, there is no option to have an unsafe delivery at home.
Asha Rokaya, 26, of Tila Rural Municipality-7 Pokhri village, has two children. She gave birth to both children at home. She recalls the painful three days of labor at her home, that she had to go through during the birth of her children.
She said there is no birthing center, health post, or hospital nearby. There were no able-bodied men in the house to carry her to get medical attention. All the able-bodied men are outside the district for business and labor. The village consists of only women and senior citizens in the village. The women in the village have no other option than to give birth at home.
Two weeks ago, Usha Bohra gave birth at home. She also gave birth two days after intensive labor pain. Seven months ago, Jaisari Thapa also gave birth at home. Her baby was upside down. Asha Rokaya said that the child did not survive.
There are 65 households in Pokhri village. Locals say that all pregnant women in this village give birth at home. It is medically required for a pregnant woman to have routine check-ups. After child delivery, in a health institution, the state has provided the facility of nutritional allowance. However, the women of this village are deprived of facilities for safe delivery and postpartum nutritional allowances.
Tila Rural Municipality’s Chairperson Motilal Rokaya said that electricity and water are now available in the village. The road track is accessible as wellThere is a birthing center Ghodegaon Health Chowki, which is two hours away from the village.
Due to geographical difficulties, women have not been able to avail the facility of the birthing center. He assured the INSEC representative that the local government will take initiatives for a birthing center in this village.