WITH more cases of COVID-19 being diagnosed in Nepal, extending nationwide lockdown has been the only viable means for the government to cope with the pandemic. Despite its negative impact on the national economy, the lockdown is necessary to slow the spread of the lethal virus disease. The protracted restriction also seems to have dealt a severe blow to the pregnant and post-partum women. It has not been easy for them to visit hospitals for their regular and follow-up check-ups as public vehicles have not been in operation for more than two months. The data maintained by the Family Welfare Division under the Department of Health Services show that around two dozen women have lost their lives due to delivery-related complications since the imposition of the lockdown. A 32-year-old woman from Sankhuwasabha was among them. Under the President's Women Upliftment Programme (PWUP), she was recently airlifted from Khandbari Municipality of the district. But she passed away at the Thapathali-based Paropakar Maternity and Women's Hospital. She was in dire need of a ventilator. But there was no extra piece available in the hospital.

The PWUP has become a boon for the pregnant and post-partum women living in different remote districts. Being run under the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens, the PWUP, which has been in operation since December 2018, makes available the air ambulance service to the needy at the recommendation of the Chief District Officer (CDO) of the concerned district. The vital service is provided to those in need with the coordination between the respective CDOs, local units and the PWUP Coordination Unit at the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens. The patients are taken to different well-equipped hospitals. Because the programme has been saving lives of many rural women, it has been winning hearts at the grassroots level. As of now, more than 100 pregnant and post-partum women have been rescued under the PWUP. Of them, 14 have received the service since March 24 when the lockdown began. According to a news report published in this daily on Sunday, the programme helps those women who have been deprived of health and social services and economic facilities. It also provides them with skill development training and encourages them to be engaged in income-generating activities.

At present, the air ambulance service is made available to the pregnant and post-partum women from 34 outlying districts like Dolpa, Humla, Rolpa, Khotang, Okhaldhunga, Solukhumbu, Manang and Mustang. But the service recipients must be reeling under a life-threatening situation. This group of women is mostly found suffering from haemorrhages, infections and pre-eclampsia. Considering the existing poor health facilities in many parts of the country, the government needs to expand such a useful programme gradually. It is worth mentioning that the government has realised the need to expand and upgrade health services across the nation. This is reflected in its newly unveiled budget for the upcoming fiscal year. However, the pregnant and post-partum women have been at a higher risk during the lockdown. More women are now forced to deliver babies at home due to lack of public transportation. Hospitals are also reluctant to admit such women due to the fear of the virus. These issues really require an urgent attention from the authorities.