Kathmandu, May 21 – Thirty-five women infected with COVID-19 and its new variant gave births to their babies in the Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital, Thapathali since the outbreak of second wave of the pandemic in the country. The state-run maternity hospital known as the Prasuti Griha recorded 20 C-section births and 15 normal deliveries in this period. According to hospital deputy-director Shree Prasad Adhikari, women arriving at the hospital and already diagnosed with COVID-19 and those found contracting the virus upon the arrival are being provided maternity services by putting them in isolation wards to mitigate the risk of further spread of the virus.

The country’s first maternity hospital has ensured 30 COVID-19 beds including five beds supported by oxygen support system. The beds are available at the hospital’s Thapathali-based building and the Kupandole-based building.Besides, the hospital has set up 50-high dependency unit comprising four ICU COVID-19 beds along with oxygen-therapy in Kupandole. A separate chamber is there for the care of infected pregnant and a dedicated COVID-19 sur
gery ward has been ensured as well.

Thapathali-based infrastructure are only for new mothers and pregnant while the Kupandole-based 50-beds are also for other women. The Teku-based Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital and other hospitals refer patients to the maternity hospital in absence of beds in the respective health facilities. The hospital is presently treating 27 infected: 12 in Kupandole and 15 in Thapathali.(RSS)