Rooster and ghee, Kaligandaki’s gift to new mother

By Tilachan Pande,Tamghas (Gulmi), July 5: A Rural Municipality in Gulmi has been visiting each new mother with a local rooster or ghee as a gift to her. 

The health branch of Kaligandaki Rural Municipality in the district has reported that they have been visiting each new mother with a local rooster or a kilogram of ghee. 

According to Vice Chairperson Manju Kumari Darlami, since new mothers require nutritious and easily digestible food during the postpartum period, they have been visiting the new mothers and provide them with roosters or ghee. 

Vice Chairperson Darlami added that through the Pregnant and Postpartum Women’s Program, the first priority is to visit each new mother with a rooster of local breed, and if the birds unavailable, they bring one kilogram of ghee.

 She further mentioned that in the current fiscal year, 90 new mothers in the municipality have been provided with local roosters and ghee. Darlami also explained that they counsel new mothers to rest during postpartum period, consume nutritious and easily digestible food and take care of their health.

Health Branch Chief Chandra Bahadur Thapa informed that during the visits, family members are also involved and the health workers informed them about health matters.

 Similarly, the health branch has reported that pregnant women are provided with nutritional packages twice before delivery and are informed about their health status. The nutritional package includes one carat egg and chickpeas. Additionally Thapa stated that soap and nail cutter are also distributed to promote hygiene and cleanliness. 

Mina Chhetri, a new mother from Ward No. 7 Bhurtung, shared that nutritious support during pregnancy and a rooster after childbirth from the rural municipality made her feel that the local government truly cares about them.

Likewise, another new mother, Sapana Thapa, mentioned that this programme has been especially beneficial for those with weaker economic conditions compared to families with better financial status. She urged the local government to give continuity to the programme and further improve nutrition.  

Chief Administrative Officer Naresh Giri stated that the Pregnant and Postpartum Women's Programme has been effective. 

He claimed that the programme significantly improves nutrition, promotes regular check-ups during pregnancy and spreads the message of delivering at health facilities. 

Vice chairperson Darlami said that they have continued the programme in the upcoming fiscal year as well.  

According to the Health Branch, 120 mothers gave birth to their babies in the rural municipality last year.