Support 300 Safe Births in the Nepal Himalaya

Summary

This project will fund 300 safe births in the remote Nepal Himalaya by employing trained midwives and funding essential equipment for maternal care. Northern Gorkha is a seriously neglected area. Health facilities are rudimentary and villages up to 7 days walk from a road. Young mothers and their babies risk their lives as they face the dangers of childbirth and the crucial first few weeks of life. High mortality rates can be mitigated if women and their babies have access to essential care.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Childbirth in Nepal is dangerous. On average 1 in 31 women die from pregnancy-related complications. Northern Gorkha has some of the worst rates for maternal and neo/post-natal health in Nepal. Hemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death while respiratory infections and dehydration from diarrhea frequently lead to avoidable deaths of young babies. With little access to basic health provisions, limited understanding of hygiene and high levels of malnutrition, incidence of disease is high.

How will this project solve this problem?

PHASE health workers know their presence can mean the difference between life and death for mothers and their babies. Deaths, infections and complications can be prevented with proper care, medical attention during/after pregnancy and sterile equipment at birth. With your help we can continue to deliver babies safely by staffing remote health posts, giving vital training and offering mothers and babies regular health checks, as well as access to sterile equipment, medications and supplements.

Potential Long Term Impact

Targeting some of the most vulnerable, PHASE will help 300 women in northern Gorkha mitigate the risks of pregnancy and deliver their babies safely. We will reduce the chance of illness and death that traps families in the cycle of poverty. PHASE believe in offering sustainable support until communities become self-sufficient. In northern Gorkha PHASE work closely with the district office; a partnership which represents a model of government-NGO cooperation and a strong template for the future.

Project Message

"PHASE health workers helped us have healthier, safer pregnancies: before, nobody had health checks during pregnancy. Now all pregnant women go to the PHASE clinic for health checks and iron tablets."
- Pema Dhiki Lama (mother, 29 years old), Beneficiary, Chhekampar, Gorkha (5 days from road)