Success in the "ZERO Home Delivery Declaration" Initiative, Transforming Maternal Healthcare in Rupandehi and Nawalparasi

FAIRMED Foundation in collaboration with Local Partners Join Forces to Achieve Zero Home Deliveries, Significantly Reducing Maternal Mortality Rates.

Nepal, despite remarkable strides in healthcare, still grapples with maternal mortality concerns, particularly in rural regions where home deliveries are common due to geographical challenges and limited healthcare facilities. These home deliveries often lack skilled attendants and essential medical equipment, raising the risks of complications and mortality. The "ZERO Home Delivery Declaration" program was introduced to address this issue, aiming to increase institutional deliveries, which significantly reduce maternal mortality risks.

Under the program, there has been a notable increase in institutional deliveries, leading to a considerable reduction in the risk of maternal mortality in various municipalities of Rupandehi and Nawalparasi districts. Healthcare facilities have been upgraded and equipped to provide safe and quality institutional deliveries. Community engagement and awareness campaigns have played a pivotal role in transforming cultural norms, encouraging pregnant mothers and their families to prioritize skilled attendance during childbirth. These efforts have resulted in improved maternal health indicators and a decline in maternal mortality rates in these targeted regions.

The program's implementation process has been comprehensive, including needs assessments, community engagement, infrastructure enhancements, quality of services improvement, and even advocating for transportation systems to ensure timely access to healthcare facilities. A robust monitoring system has been established to track progress and identify areas for improvement.

The journey towards zero home deliveries has not been without its challenges, including geographical barriers, cultural practices, and budget constraints. However, these challenges have prompted innovative approaches and have offered valuable lessons. Community ownership, multisectoral collaboration, and adaptability have emerged as crucial factors in program success.

To sustain the program's impact, recommendations have been put forth, emphasizing continued outreach, inclusive approaches, healthcare workforce development, and sustainability plans.

The "ZERO Home Delivery Declaration" initiative, supported by the FAIRMED Foundation and local partners, serves as an exemplary model of collaborative efforts to achieve SDG 3 and improve maternal health in rural Nepal. By promoting institutional deliveries and reducing home deliveries, this initiative has significantly contributed to reducing maternal mortality rates and enhancing maternal health indicators.

The success of this initiative would not have been possible without the dedication and contributions of local and field staff, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and volunteers. Their collective efforts have transformed maternal healthcare in rural Nepal, bringing hope and health to mothers and newborns.