Maternal and Neonatal Health Services
Maternal and neonatal health is the health of women and their babies during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. Early marriage and teenage pregnancy are common in developing countries like Nepal which causes low-weight birth and still birth. Hence, there is an increasing concern and interest in maternal and child health care.
Maternal Health in Nepal
Continuous interventions have helped to improve maternal and neonatal health in remote parts of Nepal. These interventions have contributed to reduction of key indicators, such as Maternal Mortality Rate and Infant Mortality Rate across the country.
Apart from supporting health institutions to provide maternal health services, steps to generate demand for the same in communities by activating mothers’ groups, Female Community Health Volunteers and communities are helping to increase service utilization.
Yet, many young mothers and newborn die as they are unable to access proper and timely obstetric care and knowledge, and are subjected to harmful socio-cultural practices at child birth and during post natal care.