Basantapatti, Rautahat
BASANTAPATTI HEALTH POST

The health situation in Rautahat is generally very poor. In Basantapatti, over 60% of the inhabitants are from marginalized communities (such as Dalits and Muslims) who did not have access to appropriate health facilities. The mother-child mortality rate was very high due to the lack of adequate health care. Therefore, Chay Ya, together with the Paroha community, decided to expand the local health post to include a maternity ward that would benefit approximately 2,500 women and girls, with a birth rate of approximately 300-350 children/year.

The expansion included the construction of an additional floor of the building, which resulted in general medical services being moved to the first floor. The birthing center was built on the ground floor, making it easier for pregnant women to access. The health post and birthing center have several rooms, including treatment rooms, a delivery room, outpatient rooms for pregnant women, a pharmacy, and staff rooms. The birth center opened its doors on January 29, 2020, one month ahead of schedule.

With the construction of the birth center, pregnant women now have access to prenatal medical care and are accompanied by specialized staff during childbirth. In addition, the birth center supports women and their infants with postnatal care and immunization programs to help reduce maternal and infant mortality rates and prevent chronic diseases. The birth center also includes services such as counseling on family planning and contraception, baby care and women’s health, and education on risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth, as well as women’s health and hygiene. The health post provides general medical care, emergency care, and access to medications.

The birth center currently employs a nurse and a health assistant hired by the community. Chay Ya provided medicines and organized related logistics for one year. Since then, the community has been responsible for purchasing the medicines. Chay Ya Nepal continues to monitor and evaluate the operation of all medical services at the birth center in order to optimize processes where necessary to provide women and their children with access to quality health care.