Medicosnext
In the remote villages of Bajura, the harrowing reality of childbirth on the road continues to haunt expectant mothers. Pansara Rokaya, a 31-year-old resident of Kuru in Budinanda Municipality-4, experienced this ordeal for the third time on Tuesday when she gave birth to her daughter while on the way to Kuru Primary Health Centre.
Pansara’s disturbing tale echoes that of numerous other women in these remote areas. Dharma Chadara, the chief of Kuru’s health center, came to Pansara’s aid, assisting her in delivery when she was found alone on the road, battling excessive bleeding. Despite such instances becoming a disheartening norm, these roadside deliveries highlight the grim lack of access to health facilities plaguing Bajura.
“Many women in these remote villages are still compelled to give birth away from health facilities,” laments Bimala Pandey from Rugina Health Post. Tek Bahadur Khadka, the health branch chief of Badimalika Municipality, emphasizes that the absence of routine prenatal check-ups and timely access to healthcare contribute to these perilous circumstances.
Regrettably, Bajura has witnessed 12 maternal deaths in the last four years. Although helicopter rescue initiatives have been implemented, the persistent fatalities reflect the broader challenges of grueling pregnancies, frequent childbirth, and inadequate healthcare access. While we talk about the bumpy ride of ambulance services in Kathmandu and major cities, the stark reality of healthcare disparities continue to imperil the lives of mothers and the newborns in these remote corners of the nation, demanding urgent attention and comprehensive solutions.
