Safe Motherhood in Nepal

News and Events

Advocacy Workshop to Improve Access to Safe Motherhood Services for Women in Remote Districts

In March 2009, the Family Health Division of the Department of Health Services and SSMP/ Options jointly organised a successful advocacy workshop in Nepalgunj. This was hosted by the Regional Health Directorate of Surkhet, and United Mission to Nepal (UMN) provided technical and logistic support. Participants included representatives from the major airlines serving mountain and hill areas and local government officials. The workshop was intended to improve the understanding of airline/ helicopter operators about women’s health, especially safe motherhood issues, highlight the need for emergency air transport for women from remote areas who are suffering from complications during pregnancy and childbirth and explore the role of airline/ helicopter operators in the provision of emergency transport in these situations.

The workshop resulted in the airlines undertaking to retain two seats for emergency cases on every mountain/ hill flight. Normally these will be charged at the normal rate, but if the family of the emergency case is too poor to pay the will be free, or payment can be deferred until they are able to access the money, or the cost can be covered from a local emergency fund loan, to be decided locally. If no emergency case needs the seats they will be sold as usual just before takeoff. Under extreme circumstances, flights can also be diverted to help an emergency, provided sufficient notice is given to make logistical arrangements, such as carrying extra fuel.

Since many mountain and hill areas of Nepal have no emergency obstetric care services within reasonable reach, this represents an important step in the effort to save the lives of women in remote and under-served areas. A full report of the workshop proceedings can be found under “Workshop reports” in the resources section of this website. safemotherhood.org.np/default.php