Free Air Rescue for Pregnant Women Decreases in Gandaki Province

Pokhara. Air rescue costing lakhs of rupees has gradually decreased due to the availability of quality services at the provincial hospital. The number has been decreasing in recent years due to the upgrade of hospitals within the province and the provision of specialist services at basic hospitals, said Buddhisagar Adhikari, health data officer at the Ministry of Health, Gandaki Province. The Gandaki Province government started free air rescue for high-risk pregnant women and mothers in 2076 BS, and 10 people availed this facility that year. Similarly, 33 people availed it in 2077 BS, eight in 2078, five in 2079, four in 2080, one in 2081, and six so far since 2082, he informed. In terms of districts, since 2076 BS, the highest number of 30 people from Baglung have received this free air rescue service, while 18 from Myagdi, six from Gorkha, five from Mustang, four from Lamjung, and two each from Manang and Parbat, totaling 67 people, have received the service, he informed. Adhikari said that four more people received this facility based on a cabinet decision before the Gandaki Province government started this service in 2076 BS. The Gandaki Province government brought a working procedure in 2080 BS to make the free air rescue for high-risk pregnant women and mothers systematic and effective. Data officer Adhikari said that the province government has achieved positive results in the health sector after upgrading 16 hospitals in Gandaki Province and providing specialist services at basic hospitals.