WOMEN'S HEALTH

Miteri Birthing Center, Sannigaun, Jumla

Sannigaun is one of the most remote villages of Jumla, six hours by bus, and thirteen hours by foot from Jumla. Women suffer from maternal and neonatal health complications such as prolonged/obstructed labour, retained placenta, neonatal infections, etc.  Unfortunately, there is no official data due to an absence of health workers in the health posts. 

AWON, partnered with the District Health Office in Jumla, has constructed a birthing center along with a health post.  We have delivered equipment, and installed solar panels.  AWON has locally recruited a trained ANM (Auxillary Nurse Midwife) for 24 hour, round the clock, maternity service, in addition to a volunteer to meet the demand for trained birth attendants. This program is supported by the NRN-UK (Non Resident Nepalese in United Kingdom) and Sidratha Nepali Samaj UK. 

Sannigaun now has a MEETs (volunteer), ANM (Auxillary Nurse Midwife), and a community volunteer who all reside locally, Shardha Rokaya and Gaukala Buda respectively. They are under the management of Action Works Nepal. AWON is excited and encouraged about the service the villagers, especially women and children, are receiving. Services rendered during month of March in 2014 included: 16 ANC (Ante Natal Check ups), distribution of iron and pre-natal vitamins for 11 individuals, 1 delivery at the birthing center (Mahina Sara Rawat, Ward no 9, Sannigaun), Depo Provera (birth control) for 5 women, 24 neonatal check ups, and 35 treatment cases of diarrhea.  Villagers have expressed gratitude and appreciation for this important addition to their community.  

Miteri Safe Abortion Action Program in Jumla

AWON has implemented a Safe Abortion Action Program (SAAP) starting in April 2014, in Jumla with special focus on Jumla hospital, and three health posts: Lamra, Kudari, and Sannigaun of Jumla. This project will increase access to safe abortion and family planning for 5,730 women living in the most remote, poor, and disadvantaged regions of Nepal -- the Karnali region, where abortion is considered 'taboo.' Women here are not aware of their reproductive health rights and have little access to services. We will address gender norms, values, and behaviours with regards to reproductive and sexual rights, particularly safe abortions, and will engage actors including women, men, traditional healers, schools, and adolescents.  Activities will include the mobilization of vulnerable groups, training, a 24/7 telephone hotline, advocacy and networking at both the micro-meso and macro levels.  We will also train professionals in the delivery of medical abortions (MA) in the area to increase uptake of services, and work to meet the increase in need for family planning. The project is supported by AWON’s commitment to rural women’s empowerment and will follow participatory, rights-based and pro-poor approaches as key strategies.