In Lower Middle-income countries, antenatal care plays a significant role to lessen maternal mortality. Though there are almost 363 birthing centres across villages in the province, yet the plight of pregnant women and mothers remains deplorable. In 2018, the provincial government started the helicopter rescue programme for pregnant women who go through birth-related complications. This upliftment is an initiative to save the lives of mothers at childbirth.

According to the Ministry’s report, the service is for pregnant women in areas not connected by roadways. And the helicopter facility is available in 48 districts. The report also yields that around 32-33 pregnant or new mothers lose their lives every year, before the start of the helicopter services in the province.

They have made an air med-evac of 339 mothers till now from various parts of the country. These women might not have survived if they didn’t get urgent hospital treatment. As-yet, one woman from Baglung died while she was being airlifted to Kathmandu as she suffered from excessive bleeding.

According to the information officer of the Ministry of Social Development, Gyanendra Parajuli, he says, “Only this fiscal year from Shrawan till Chaitra, 123 pregnant women were rescued. So, we can see that this upliftment is a huge success.” Besides rescuing pregnant women, they also carry out rescue operations for newborns (up to 28 days) who experience health-related complications.