Bharta, Kalikot
MAHADEV HEALTH POST AND BIRTHING STATION

At the inauguration of Shree Mahadev Basic School, we were struck by how small and weak many of the children appeared. And no wonder, as statistically 47.8 % of children under the age of five in Karnali district are stunted and 37.4 % are underweight! In addition, the lack of accessible and adequate health facilities (6 hours by jeep, 12 hours walk in the monsoon to the district hospital in Mamna) leads to increased mother-child mortality. 35 % of women are also affected by anemia and 21.3 % are malnourished.

The previous health post in Bartha was the oldest and only one in the region. It was dilapidated, too small and had neither shower facilities nor a maternity ward with overnight accommodation. The toilet was unacceptable. In order to ensure that important health services such as overnight care, births, post- and prenatal care and the dispensing of medication or preparations against malnutrition can be provided in the future, we planned a new building with a maternity room (incl. shower and toilet), a bedroom for the nurse with a stove/heating facilities and a treatment room with overnight accommodation as well as a pharmacy. Like the school, the health post was to be built with environmentally friendly and earthquake-resistant bricks.

The local government initiated the project by writing a letter to Chay Ya Nepal and covered 20 % of the costs. In addition, the local population contributed by providing materials. 5 villagers were guaranteed a fair-paid job and were also trained in the production of ECO2Bricks.