364 birthing centres operational in Gandaki Province

Gandaki, Dec 25: Gandaki Province now has 364 birthing centres in operation, a development that has significantly reduced the number of home deliveries across the province.

According to Dr Ramesh Kumar KC, Chief of the Medical Service Division at the provincial Ministry of Health, home deliveries have declined to fewer than 200 cases annually. He said the province currently has 18 hospitals providing surgical delivery services, while 52 health facilities are equipped to handle complicated childbirths. Delivery services are available in all districts except Manang.

The provincial government has been running programmes focused on strengthening health workers’ capacity and ensuring the availability of essential medical equipment at birthing centres. On average, around 24,000 births are recorded in the province each year. Of the total 36,000 pregnancies annually, about 12,000 result in abortions, while nearly 4,000 women give birth outside the province, mainly in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and Palpa.

The government has set a target of achieving complete institutional delivery by eliminating home births. The latest demographic and health survey shows that 89 per cent of childbirths in Gandaki Province now take place at health institutions. This progress has been attributed to the expansion of birthing centres, increased public awareness, regular training of health personnel and improved access to medical equipment.