Pregnant woman and her newborn die in Bajura

By Sher Bahadur Sarki, Bajura, March 23: A 21-year-old woman and her newborn baby died in Bajura district after developing health complications following childbirth.

The deceased have been identified as Surata Kumari Rokaya of Sallena, Badimalika Municipality–1, and her newborn child.

Rokaya had given birth at the District Hospital Bajura a few days earlier. As her condition and that of the baby worsened, both were airlifted to the Provincial Hospital in Surkhet for further treatment.

According to the Information Officer of District Hospital Bajura, Nriparaj Giri, Rokaya had a history of heart disease and had undergone treatment in Kathmandu in 2022. Doctors had reportedly advised her against pregnancy. “If delivery had been conducted at a facility with better ICU services, the situation might have been more manageable, but such facilities are not available here,” he said.

Assistant Chief District Officer of Bajura, Laxman Pudasaini, said that the mother and child were flown to Surkhet on March 19 for advanced treatment. The newborn died on March 1 during treatment, while the mother passed away on the evening of March 21.

Deputy Mayor of Badimalika Municipality, Nanda Thapa, said that there had been plans to bring the bodies back to Bajura. However, at the request of the family and local supporters, the last rites of both mother and child were performed in Surkhet.