In Humla’s Khoksi Community Health Unit, the absence of health workers has forced pregnant women to give birth at home. This problem has arisen since there has been no nursing staff at the health facility since December 30.
ANM Sapana Budha, who worked at the Khoksi Community Health Unit, left her job in Poush, affecting services at the birthing center. Since then, locals have complained that service users seeking delivery care have faced severe difficulties.
On the morning of March 29, Janu Shahi, who went to the health facility due to labor pains, had to return home to give birth, her husband, Hans Bahadur Shahi, said.
“We took her to the health facility because home delivery is risky, but since the ANM was not available, we had to return home for the delivery,” he said.
Similarly, on the same day, another pregnant woman, Bhaibola Singh, also had to return home after being taken to the health facility because no nursing staff was available; her husband, Brish Singh, complained. They said this forced locals to risk their lives.
According to Dhirin Shahi, in charge of the health unit, repeated requests were made to Simkot Rural Municipality to arrange nursing staff after ANM Budha left her job, but no action was taken. Four months have passed without staffing, which he said reflects the municipality’s negligence.
Kamal Budha, ward chair of Ward No. 8, Simkot Rural Municipality, said that although he repeatedly raised the issue in municipal meetings, no solution has been found. He called such negligence in a sensitive sector like health “irresponsible.”
Meanwhile, Narbahadur Bhandari, coordinator of the municipality’s health section, acknowledged that there has been a shortage of nursing staff for the past three months and said efforts are underway to resolve the issue. Citing some technical delays, he committed to arranging nursing staff soon.