Pregrancy complications claim 12 women a day

By Rameshwor Yadav

KATHMANDU, Oct. 23: Every day more than 12 women in Nepal die of complications during pregnancy, delivery and the post-delivery period, the highest in Asia, according to a report on safe motherhood.

According to the Safe Motherhood Network of Nepal, the yearly toll of the pregnant mothers is about 4,000. This alarming statistics has been brought forward by the organisation to draw the attention of the concerned.

Globally, a woman dies every minute of pregnancy-related complications, but 95 per cent of these deaths are preventable, according to a report of Enable Project, an international reproductive health drive funded by the USAID.

The Enable project has been working with the goal of strengthening women's capabilities for informed decision-making to prevent unintended pregnancy and to improve reproductive health in Nepal for the last four years. This was disclosed at a seminar on gender and reproductive health organised by the government, CEDPA and the USAID.

The project was implemented in 200 Village Development Committees (VDC) in seven districts-Dhanusha, Kailali, Doti, Udaipur, Saptari, Baglung and Bhaktapur. More than 1,400 community-based volunteers are working under this project to deliver quality and gender sensitive reproductive health information and services. There are also 495 communication action groups (CAG) with 9,900 members comprising married women of reproductive age group (MWRA). They were working in creating an enabling environment for promoting positive health practices.

The project was implemented in collaboration with the Center for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA)/Nepal, NGOs partners, Nepal Red Cross Society, Family Planning Association of Nepal, Aama Milan Kendra (Mother's Club), Junior Red Cross Society, SAMANATA, Institute for Social and Gender Equality (Safe Motherhood Network).

The Enable project was working with Red Cross Society in three districts- Kailali, Doti and Udaipur and FPAN in two districts- Dhanusha and Saptari. The Mother's Club is working in Baglung and JRC in Bhaktapur.

The CEDPA/ Nepal has started various strategies to meet the goals of the Enable project by involving and mobilising individuals, families and communities by disseminating information and delivering a range of services on reproductive health.

CEDPA and USAID are working with women and youth in the five core areas including strategic planning and management, advocacy, capacity building, behaviour change intervention and social marketing of positive health behaviour.

Eight working papers on gender and reproductive health, adolescent reproductive health, family planning, safe motherhood and HIV/AIDS were presented at the seminar.

The participants said that women in rural Nepal are changing their behaviour and awareness on health, rights, role in the families and societies is increasing. "Women are openly talking about sex, contraceptives, health and are participating in awareness programme." They are also more knowledgeable on social affairs, domestic problems and prevention of sexually-transmitted disease and HIV/AIDS.

Ms. Rebecca Rohrer a representstive of the USAID/Nepal said that Nepal needs alliance on reproductive health and gender issues. She added that the future of Nepal is not very bright due to lack of safe motherhood.

Dr Laxmi Raj Pathak, Directer General at the Ministry of Health, Dr Cynthia Green, representative of CEDPA, Deepak Bajracharya, Directer of CEDPA, Nepal, and Dr. Sarala Malla, director of National Public Health Laboratory were among those who spoke at the programme.

Body formed to check adulteration

RSS

KATHMANDU, Oct. 23: His Majesty's Government has formed a market follow-up team under the convenorship of the Chief District Officer to check adulteration of essential commodities which are consumed by general people, maintain uniformity in weights and measurements and a tendency to black marketeering.

According to the Ministry of Home, representatives from the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Standard and Metrology, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries, Central Food Laboratory and District Police Office will be included in the team for Kathmandu Valley, whereas, representatives from the authorities that do not have district level offices will be invited in the team as far as possible in case of the other districts.

HMG has also hoped full support from general people as well as consumer committees to such teams.

Meanwhile, the Department of Commerce has taken actions against 7 different business houses after having found them without price lists, selling goods at higher rates, using unauthorised bill pads and even cylindrical litres during an inspection by a follow up team in Kathmandu recently.

The team in the course of inspection has issued directives to Valley Rikesh Suppliers, Gairigaun and New Pushpanjali Oil Traders, Jayabageshwori to hung up the price list at the earliest.

Likewise, the team has ordered the proprietor of Ganesh Oil Stores, Nalinchok, Ganga Lal Lageju to appear in person at the department within 24 hrs for he was found selling other goods in addition to oils and using fake bill pads.

The department has taken actions against Thaku Kumar of Kamal Vinayak, Uddab Lama of Bijeshwori and proprietor of Saraswoti Co-Operatives Tahachal too for their illegal commercial dealings, informs the Department.

A joint team included representatives from Nepal Bureau of Standard and Metrology, Nepal Oil Corporation, Nepal Salt Corporation and Pro-Public.

Representation of Dalits at top level sought

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Oct. 23: Representation at the political level is indispensable if the social integrity of the 4.5 million Dalits is to be promoted, said Gore Bahadur Khapangi, Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare at a forum today.

The present council of ministers, although it was nominated by the King, is responsible for the people as monarchy is the soul of the Nepalese people, said Khapangi at an interaction programme on minorities and backward nationalities.

Pointing at the domestic crisis facing the nation, he blamed the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML for not being morally responsible for the spirit of democracy and Constitution.

He called upon the Maoists to be sensitive and responsible towards the people and nation. He urged them to come to the negotiation table for the political solution of the crisis.

Bijul Kumar Bishwakarma, member of the National Assembly placed emphasis on the participation of the Dalits in the council of ministers which is to be expanded in the near future.

Rishi Babu Pariyar, member of the Upper House said that the move taken by the King as per Article 127 of the Constitution was for the good of the people and the nation.

D.B. Sagar, president of Dalit Federation said that the present turmoil state of the country was the result of the disregards shown to the interests of the Dalits. He added that if the marginalisation of the Dalits continues it would invite dire consequences in the country. "The notion of untouchability is the naked form of discrimination against humanity. Such an environment only invites social movement to empower them", he said.The programme, with the objective of getting the government's assurance for the rights of the backward and the marginalised communities, was organised by the Dalit Welfare Association.

Mechanism to monitor projects emphasised

RSS

LALITPUR, Oct. 23: Chief Secretary Dr Bimal Koirala has said that monitoring and assessment management is an inseparable part of development administration.Inaugurating a three-day workshop on monitoring and evaluation for development projects and programmes organised by the National Planning Commission with technical cooperation of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) here today, Chief Secretary Koirala pointed out the need for extensive reforms in the monitoring and evaluation mechanism of the country in order to increase the effectiveness of development projects.He said that programme selection for the Tenth Plan will include an effective mechanism for implementation as well as monitoring and evaluation.Country Director of the World Bank Kenichi Ohashi and Country Director of the Asian Development Bank Richard Volkes said that selection and implementation of development programmes in Nepal are not transparent and accountable.They were also of the view that corruption has obstructed the development process of the country. Also expressing their views on the occasion were National Planning Commission Secretary Maniraj Ghimire and joint secretary Ram Kumar Shrestha. The workshop aims to make government officials engaged in development comprehend the significance of monitoring and evaluation and acquire technical knowledge of the subject through project cycle management, it is stated.Altogether 50 participants from difference line ministries, the Planning Commission, the World Bank, the ADB and JICA are taking part in the workshop.