Maternity centre built by Sigas women awaits health workers

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT,Baitadi, May 3: The locals of Sigas Rural Municipality-6 in Baitadi district have been awaiting health workers in the maternity centre which they have constructed contributing their labour without taking any wage. 

The local women had volunteered for the construction of the maternity centre stating that they did not have to shift to an animal shed during labour pain.

 Earlier, the women of Lekam village in the municipality had to walk two hours to reach Deaura of Bajhang to deliver a baby.  Tej Bahadur Saud, chairman of the rural municipality, said that 150 women under the leadership of local Tulsi Saud had carried stones, gravel and sand to build the maternity building. 

Tulsi Saud said that about 500 women of Nakara, Masanijhad, Rahakhet, Lekam, Thala, Jogichiura, Simtola and other settlements of the Ward No.6 would receive health care if the health workers were available in the maternity centre. 

The local women have also drawn the attention of the ward office stating that no health worker has been deputed at the centre even a month after they completed the construction of its building.

Ward chair Saud said, “Women have constructed the building for the maternity centre after working hard. The ground and bushes near the building have been cleared and a place suitable for a helipad has also been prepared. The road to the maternity centre has also been built by the women themselves. We have found that the rural municipality has also been positive to send health workers.” 

Meanwhile, Ghanshyam Bohra, health coordinator of Sigas Rural Municipality and Acting Chief Administrative Officer of Sigas Rural Municipality, said that according to the demand of local women, health workers would be appointed and sent to the maternity centre soon.