Baglung, April 28 -- In Baglung's remote municipalities of Nisikhola and Dhorpatan, childbirth is too often a gamble with a woman's life. Despite national policies and funding promises, the reality on the ground remains stark: expectant mothers either walk for hours to reach facilities or give birth at home - often without medical support.

In ward 5 of Nisikhola Rural Municipality, the community health unit in Niseldhor lacks even the most basic infrastructure for maternity care. There is no birthing centre. The unit is staffed only by auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) Yam Kumari Gharti and office assistant Prem Kumari Gharti. They handle an average of 10-12 patients daily with minimal equipment.

The nearest birthing centre is a three- to f...