630 pregnant and post-partum women rescued in six years

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 13: The government has provided free air rescue services to a total of 630 pregnant and post-partum women since the introduction of the President Women Upliftment Programme in 2018 to airlift the pregnant women if safe delivery was impossible in their locality.

According to figures released on Monday by the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens (MoWCSC), it rescued 78 women in the first six months of the current fiscal year. 

The lives of 11 pregnant and post-partum women in remote areas were saved by airlifting in July/August last year. The lives of 14 women were saved in August/September month alone. 

According to MoWCSC, 14 women were rescued in September/ October, 13 in October/ November, 10 in November/ December and 16 in December/ January month.

Most of the rescued women are from Bajhang, Bajura, Achham, Jajarkot, Khotang, Dhading, Sindhupalchowk, Gorkha, Kalikot, Dolakha, Solukhumbu, Okhaldhunga, Rukum (East and West), Dolpa, Dailekh, Humla, Jajarkot and Bhojpur. 

From free air rescue service, the lives of 26 pregnant and post-partum women of remote areas were rescued in 2018/19, 87 in 2019/20, 103 in 2020/21, 169 in 2021/22 and167 in 2022/23 under the President’s Women Upliftment Programme.  

The government has been providing air ambulance service to the pregnant and postpartum women facing the risk of death for want of emergency medical service in line with the 'Procedure Related to Air Rescue of Pregnant and Post-partum Women of Critical Condition in Remote Areas-2018'.

The procedure aims to provide quality and dependable service to such women living in remote areas where proper medical facilities required for patients are not available.

The MoWCSC said that the programme had been effective in protecting the citizens’ constitutional right to safe motherhood and reproductive health.

This facility is available to women in 48 districts. Out of 48 districts, the facility is fully available in 19 districts and partially in 29 districts.