The absence of a birthing center in Mahakali Municipality-6 has resulted in pregnant women being compelled to give birth at home. In the previous fiscal year 022/023, six women were forced to deliver at home due to the lack of maternity services.
The lack of a health post in the ward has led to a situation where a majority of pregnant women are left with no choice but to give birth at home. Local resident Mahesh Bhatt highlighted that the community of Nishil Paunekhola, a particularly underprivileged settlement within Mahakali Municipality connected to Khalanga headquarters, continues to be devoid of essential health services.
This predicament significantly raises the risk to the lives of pregnant women, especially given the absence of road infrastructure. With a journey that takes around three hours on foot to reach a road, Bhatt pointed out the impossibility for pregnant women to travel such a distance to access the district hospital. He emphasized the necessity for the municipality to address critical health matters urgently.
The lack of convenient access to health services poses challenges not only to Ward No. 6 but also to other areas like Thapla, Mulla, and Maikholi within Mahakali Municipality. The situation is particularly dire during the rainy season when road conditions worsen. Parvati Pal, a local resident, shared the sentiment that it is extremely difficult for pregnant women to reach the hospital in a timely manner under such conditions.
Pal expressed the frustration shared by many: “Who will understand our problem? We have to rely on faith that our lives will be spared. What could be a bigger problem than giving birth at home in the present day?”
Jai Bahadur Farswan, the Health Coordinator of Mahakali Municipality, acknowledged the goal of achieving zero home deliveries at the local level, but recognized that this objective faces significant challenges due to the scarcity of health posts and birthing centers.
Within the municipality’s nine wards, operational health posts and birthing centers can be found in Dhap, Dattu, Khalanga, Katai, and Chapari of Savik. The municipality has established five urban health units and three basic health units. While urban health units have been set up in Kimtadi, Koutali, Thapla, Maikholi, and Paunyakhola, the basic health units are located in Bangabagad, Dhowkot, and Nishil.
Farswan emphasized that the shortage of skilled personnel in urban and basic health units remains a challenge. The availability of skilled staff for safe deliveries is limited to health posts. He noted that in basic and urban health units, there is only one Auxiliary Health Worker),Assistant Nurse Midwife, and an office assistant.
Narsih Chaisir, the Mayor of Mahakali Municipality, affirmed that plans are underway to construct a dedicated hospital within the municipality. This endeavor is aligned with the goal of ensuring convenient access to healthcare services for the local population.