GANDAKI: The number of birthing centres in Gandaki Province has reached 364. With this, the deliveries at home have gradually declined.

Chief of Medical Service Division at Ministry of Health in province, Dr Ramesh Kumar KC, informed that the number of child births at home has reduced to less than 200 in a year in the province.

He informed there are 18 hospitals providing delivery service with surgery while the health facilities conducting critical delivery stand at 52. All districts except Manang in the province provide the delivery service.

Even a programme is run by the Ministry for the capacity building of health workers and availability of medical equipment. Annually, the province records nearly 24,000 births. Out of total 36,000 pregnancies, nearly 12,000 undergo abortions.

Dr KC further said out of total pregnancies, nearly 4,000 conduct child births in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and Palpa. The province government has aimed at achieving ‘complete institutional delivery’ by ending delivery at home.

The recent demographic and health survey has showed that 89 percent child births are managed at health institutions.

It is realized due to strengthening of birthing centres, rising public awareness, training to health and medical workers and availability of medical equipment.