​Pregnancy is a natural process for which medical assistance is not considered as a need or requirement in Nepal.  As a result, many Nepalese women, especially those residing in more rural areas of Nepal deliver at home.  In most communities, traditional birth attendants are usually primary service providers who have never received modern training in midwifery. The lack of training poses a risk to the lives of the women and newborn. Currently, there are only a few SBAs that serve about 45,000 women per year in Bhojpur. One Heart World-Wide has identified several eligible nurses that are on their way to becoming certified skilled birth attendants. Post-training, they will be able to provide the maternity care necessary to conduct safe deliveries in this district.

Bhojpur is a hill district located in the northeastern part of Nepal. It is home to 172,098 people, and reports 4,474 pregnancies per year.  In 2014, One Heart World-Wide started the needs assessment process for this district, but due to the earthquakes that destroyed parts of Nepal in 2015, we had to pause our initial program activities and focus on districts such as Dhading and Sindhupalchok, where over 90% of the health facilities sustained either full or partial damage.

​In late 2015, we started up our program activities in Bhojpur again, and in 2016, we have started rolling out the second phase of our Network of Safety – Program Implementation. Over the next three years, we will train community outreach providers, implement a community outreach program, upgrade health facilities into birthing centers, and train Skilled Birth Attendants. We will also develop a basic health infrastructure, provide health education, and foster community empowerment in collaboration with the local District Health Department. Our goal for the next five years is to double the rate of deliveries with a Skilled Birth Attendant, and reduce the maternal and neonatal mortality by at least 50%.

By the end of November 2015, OHW conducted a need assessment for the district, as well as reviewed the secondary data. We set up our field office in January of this year (attached a photo), and hired a district coordinator, a training supervisor, as well as an administration coordinator. By February 1st, 2016, our program, the Network of Safety, was formally launched with the local government and the local stakeholders. So far we have installed 15 solar suitcases in existing birthing centers. This allows the local Skilled Birth Attendants to provide a safe delivery, especially during the nighttime. In addition we have have identified 9 women from respective birthing centers in the district that have been admitted to attend the 2 month training, conducted by the Nepali government within their national SBA training program. Their training will begin shortly. OHW is not only sponsoring their training, but providing them with the necessary equipment. Lastly we so far have assessed 10 birthing centers in the district that we will upgrade and equip in 2016, and in collaboration with the local Village Development Committee. Our overall target for 2016 is to fully and / or partially upgrade and equip 15 to 20 birthing centers, train 30 to 40 Skilled Birth Attendants, and train approximately 780 community outreach providers.