GANDAKI: 71 Benefited from Free Air Rescue Program for Pregnant and Postpartum Women

Kaski. A total of 71 individuals from seven districts of Gandaki Province have benefited from the free air rescue program for pregnant and postpartum women operated by the Gandaki Province government.

The province government launched the free air rescue service in 2076 BS for women with complications in local treatment or whose lives were at risk. The program aims to provide helicopter rescue and treatment at well-equipped hospitals for pregnant women and newborns up to 28 days old if they experience health complications. Rescues are carried out based on recommendations from nearby health facilities in remote areas.

Buddhisagar Adhikari, a medical records inspector at the Ministry of Health, informed that four individuals received the service before 2076 BS, 10 in 2076 BS, 33 in 2077 BS, eight in 2078 BS, five in 2079 BS, four in 2080 BS, one in 2081 BS, and six in 2082 BS.

Baglung has the highest number of beneficiaries with 30 women. Similarly, 18 from Myagdi, six from Gorkha, five from Mustang, four from Lamjung, and two each from Parbat and Manang have utilized the service. Adhikari stated that the free air rescue program has been effective in remote areas. He also mentioned that the need for air rescue has decreased recently. "Specialist doctor services have started not only in district hospitals but also at the local level. Due to the upgrading of hospitals, better treatment services are available in villages, leading to a reduction in cases requiring rescue," he said.

In addition to the Gandaki Province government, the federal government also operates an air rescue program. While the federal government provides air rescue services only from designated remote areas, the Gandaki Province government arranges rescues from any location within the province.