Overview

Sudurpaschim Province, among Nepal's poorest regions, faces critical maternal and child health challenges. It has the highest rural mortality rates in the country, with significant rates of underweight newborns, anaemia among mothers and children, and limited access to quality healthcare. Marginalised women, due to poverty, low education, and distance to facilities, are less likely to give birth in health centers or receive antenatal and postnatal care. Most birthing centers do not meet government service standards, and basic diagnostic services during pregnancy are unavailable.

Social norms, low awareness, and lack of trust hinder women from seeking timely care. Health facilities are underutilized, and outreach services are minimal. Health workers lack training, equipment maintenance is poor, and local governments are not adequately oriented in health management. The project operates in Budhiganga municipality of Bajura, a poor and underserved area with about 21,000 people and limited healthcare infrastructure.

Objectives

Our goal is to ensure 300 vulnerable women and 1000 children annually can access high quality maternal, neonatal and child health services (MNCH), leading to improved health outcomes for women and children. This focuses to ensure that vulnerable women and children can access high quality maternal, neonatal and child health services (MNCH), which will be achieved through the following three components.

• Quality Birthing Centre
• Increasing access to quality health services
• Promoting Local leadership and sustainability

Outputs and Activities

1. Improved service quality and fabric of Birthing Centres

2. Increased access to MNCH and family planning services

3. Increased awareness, leading to greater uptake of health services

4. Birthing Centres operate on a sustainable basis

Target Indicators

• Each year, 300 women accessing all 8 ANC and 3 PNC. 5% decrease in underweight children at birth (against baseline). Increase early initiation of breastfeeding (within one hour of birth) by 10% each year.
• At least 250 women in the area receive basic laboratory and ultrasound service at least once in their pregnancy (against none in the baseline) each year. 250 women each year are empowered to make their own decisions to use Birthing Centre facilities for their needs.
• 60% increase in women from marginalised backgrounds accessing health services (against baseline).
• Two birthing centres achieve 80% of MSS.
• 10% increase in local budget allocation to women’s health (against baseline).