Panchthar, Sept 16 – A birthing center at the Shiva Health Post of Phidim municipality-6 in Panchthar has remained closed for the past two years depriving pregnant women of maternity service. The center was established four years ago with the help of an organisation named ‘One Heart’ and its closure for a couple of years has forced local expectant mothers to take a visit involving much hardship to the district headquarters, Phidim, for the care, locals complained.

Apart from many hassles and hardship involved, the compulsion for expectant mothers to visit the district headquarters for maternity care has caused additional financial burden for them, said a local Tilak Tumrok. “We are continuously clamouring for the resumption of the center, but in vain so far.” Locals are doubtful whether there is a hidden plan to shift the center to somewhere else in the district.

However, unavailability of required workforce and a lack of residential facility for staffs are blamed for its closure.
Phidim-6 Ward Chair Jarman Tumrok said the center was not functioning in full-fledge due to the shortage of required workforce. “The Phidim municipality has been urged to send human resources so that we could resume the services. The vacancy for the recruitment has been announced and the ward has been told that health workers would be selected through an open competition. Lets’ hope for a solution soon,’’ he said.

According to Health Post Chief Health Assistant Om Prakash Yadav, the operation of birthing center requires 24-hour services and health workers will not be available for round-the-clock duty and for emergency services as there is not a residential facility for them within the health post or in a nearby area. “We could resume the service by providing the residential facility for staff if the health post gets a new building.’’On average, 13-14 women at the birthing centre give birth to their babies in a month. (RSS)