POULATION
Male As Partners
Parliament members have shown interest to learn the new emerging phenomenon of population management
By A CORRESPONDENT
For many parliamentarians, it was for the first time when they were discussing about the state of population, and the role of men in the maternal health. Organized by Population Concern Society Nepal, the half day seminar on Men as Partner in Maternal Health was first of its kind where members of legislative parliament found time to discuss the maternal health and population issues along with experts.
From country’s overall health situation to the demographic pattern and the issues of maternal mortality rate, the participants discussed all issues of national importance. With the support from UNFPA, the program was organized to commemorate the World Population Day.
As this year’s slogan is ‘Men as Partners in Maternal Health,’ the half day seminar focused all its attention on the issues of women health and maternal mortality. Despite some progress in maternal mortality, the women health issues are still of critical concern to the country. A large number of women are yet to get pre-natal and post-natal care. Overwhelming majority of women still give birth at home and only a small number of women receive trained medical assistance during delivery.
“Population and women’s health are main issues of the country and MPs need to raise these issues in parliament. I am happy to see that such a large number of members of legislative parliament actively took part in discussion,” said Subas Chandra Nembang, Speaker of the Parliament. “I hope members of legislative parliament will raise these issues during the session of parliament.”
Presenting the policy paper, member of legislative parliament and a member of Education, Health and Population Committee Dr. Banshidhar Mishra revealed that women’s health is in pathetic situation. “Despite some improvements in the women health, maternal mortality rate is still 281 per 10,000. Many women die without trained medical staffs at the time of delivery,” said Dr. Mishra.
“I am very happy to know the overall health situation of the country from the Members of Parliament. If Nepal’s parliament members understand the country’s health and demographic problems, half of the problem will be solved,” said Junko Sazaki, UNFPA’s country representative to Nepal. “As women have been suffering from many health related complications, the problem of uterine prolapse also needs immediate intervention.”
Participated by more than a dozen of members of parliament, the participants also raised the important issues of health and population. Presenting the paper on the state of Uterine Prolapse or Fallen Womb, Dr. Marasini from the Ministry of Health highlighted the painful state of women suffering from fallen womb. “The number related to uterine prolapse is so high that it will take years to perform surgery to all. One needs to spend about US$200 to perform the surgery. If the ministry decides to perform the surgery for about 175,000 women who are identified for medical intervention, the country needs more than billions of rupees of budget.”
Despite so many challenges in health sectors, the country has made some progress in the population management. “Although Nepal’s population growth rate is still high, the recently released Nepal Demographic Health Survey shows some encouraging trend. It is interesting to recall that the fertility and mortality has declined considerably over the years,” said Dr. Ram Hari Aryal, Chief of Population Division of Ministry of Health and member secretary of Population Concern Society. “We can see the declining trend in the population growth in future.”
In the population of more then 25 million, women consists of more than half but their role in population management is negligible. More than 700,000 women suffer from uterine prolapses and about 200,000 need immediate surgery.
“We never knew that there were such a large number of uterine prolapses. This is an eye opener for us,” said MP Sabitri Bogati. “As a member of parliament, I will definitely raise these issues in the parliament.”
At a time when country’s large numbers of hospitals in remote parts are without doctors, women have to face the consequences. “Since the announcement of new polices, there will be enough doctors in the remote parts of the country within a year,” said Ramchandra Bahadur Singh, Secretary at the Ministry of Population and Health.
“In a short notice, we are able to gather more than dozens of Members of Legislative Parliament and experts together to debate on the issues related to demography and health. As a member of parliament, we are able to understand what are the health related problems in the country now,” said Member of Legislative Parliament and president of Society Bhakta Bahadur Balayar.
