Himalayan Healthcare for 5000: Save Lives in Nepal

Namaste Friends!

This time, we would like to talk about the tricky issue of family planning – quite a taboo topic in Nepal and especially in the remote mountain areas where Maila is located. The traditional belief is that family planning goes against the supreme power of God. Also there are myths and fear surrounding its use – especially around the relatively safe and uncomplicated male vasectomy operation.

Let us introduce Dhani Jaisi, a 35 year old married lady from Maila village. She is the mother of five daughters and two sons. After giving birth to her sixth baby, Dhani started to take Depo Provera – a 3 monthly family planning injection, on advice from the PHASE health workers. She stopped taking the injection without giving any information to the sub-health post.

Dhani says, “I had already six children and I did not want more, so I was recommended Depo Provera – family planning injection. But after some time I stopped because I was bleeding heavily. Due to my responsibilities in the household I did not manage time to inform health workers about either the bleeding or my decision to stop.”

There was a vasectomy camp organized in Maila village. The purpose was to provide free family planning operations to interested men of that area.

She adds, “I requested my husband to go for the vasectomy operation. Health staff and neighbours also advised him to go. Everyone was saying to him that he already has a lot of children and if he has more it will burden his family.”

On other hand, Dhani’s father-in-law was against the vasectomy. He was worried that he had only one son and that something might happen to him during or after the operation. Dhani’s husband agreed with his father and refused to go. And of course, a few months later, Dhani became pregnant again.

Dhani says, “I gave birth to my 7^th child. I am now mother of 5 daughters and 2 sons.”

You may remember that we wrote to you previously about the tradition of Chaupadi. This is where women stay outside of house during their menstrual period and during the delivery of a child. Dhani was not allowed to be in her house for 21 days during her delivery.

She explains: “During the time of delivery I lived in a small shed which we use to house cattle. It was rainy season and the roof of the shed leaked badly. My husband and other family members were far away in the house and did not notice the problem. My feet and body swelled because of never being able to keep myself dry throughout the delivery and in the period after. I was bleeding, I could not move and I could not breast-feed the baby.”

Dhani was suffering from post-partum haemorrhage (heavy bleeding) and she was ill because of cold and wetness.

“The morning after the delivery my husband came to see me. When he saw my condition, he immediately informed the Maila sub health post. The PHASE health staff arrived soon after.” Dhani adds - “Both the staff were surprised when they saw the conditions in which I had been living. They checked my health and gave me some medicines. They advised my husband to keep me warm and dry.”

PHASE staffs conduct a door-to-door community health programme three out of six days in a week. During these visits, PHASE staff talked to Dhani’s husband and father-in-law. They talked and gave demonstrations about family planning, malnutrition, and what the negative impacts of the chaupadi tradition can be.

After some days, Dhani and her husband came to Maila health post.

Dhani’s husband says “It is our social culture to keep women outside when she is menstruating or giving birth. I also admit that I was scared to go for a vasectomy. I ran away from the camp because of fear.”

He added, pointing to his wife Dhani “This lady has suffered a lot because of my mistakes. I realize that having a lot of children is a burden on my household. I am unable to feed my seven children well. I promise; I will go for a vasectomy when there is another camp nearby.”

Dhani says “From now onwards I will take Depo – the temporary family planning injection again. If there is any problem I will come back to the health workers for advice. If my husband gets a vasectomy then I will stop.  I would like to thank the dedicated health workers in the sub-health post very much for all the advice they have patiently given my family. After a long story, we are now ready to use means for family planning.” 

Friends, thank you for taking the time to read our story. Providing a health service in this remote area is challenging but ultimately rewarding, and slowly the health status of the area is changing. But we still have a long way to go.

On Wednesday 13^th March (next Wednesday) Global Giving will be matching all donations made by 30%! Please remember the people of Maila on that day and consider offering your support. Whatever you can offer will go even further!

With gratitude and hope;
PHASE Nepal Team