By Arlene Samen | Founder & Executive Director
We are so pleased to report to you on One Heart World-Wide's recent work.
2014 was an extraordinary year--last year we had no maternal deaths and only 8 neonatal deaths in our most populated disrict, Baglung. In our other major program district, Dolpa, we had only one maternal death and 6 neonatal deaths. Before One Heart World-Wide arrived, Baglung saw at least 30 maternal and 300 neonatal deaths annually and Dolpa saw 15 maternal and 91 neonatal deaths annually.
Your support continues to make a tremendous difference as it helps us train and equip skilled birth attendants and community health volunteers to manage pregnancies in remote villages and establish new birthing centers in rural Nepal. Your support provides essential maternal healthcare to those who would otherwise have no access these lifesaving services. Thank you for making a difference in so many lives this year. One Heart World-Wide and the communities we serve are so grateful to you for your generosity.
Consider the below story of Tashi (pictured), who recently had a very difficult delivery in Baglung.
15-year-old Tashi suffered in labor for more than a day before trekking five hours through high mountain passes to reach a One Heart birthing center. She had four prenatal check-ups at the recommendation of a One Heart-trained community outreach volunteer and was told of the importance of a safe delivery so she was determined to make the trek to the Dunai birthing center even though neither her family nor husband could accompany her due to the demands of harvest season.
After four more hours of labor at the birthing center, Tashi had to undergo an episiotomy--a surgical procedure that saved both her life and her baby's. When the baby was born blue and lifeless, the doctor and skilled birth attendant revived him by clearing his airway.Once he breathed his first breaths on his own he was placed in an incubator. Skilled birthing attendants, medical equipment, and a safe environment with electricity were all critical to the survival of both baby and mother.
There are hundreds more like Tashi in the districts we have yet to reach, which is why One Heart World-Wide is in the process of expanding our programs to reach three more districts in 2015: Dhading, Sindhupalchok, and Bhojpur. We look forward to keeping you updated as begin upgrading birthing centers and training health workers in our new districts this year!
Thank you again for your commitment to save lives in Nepal. Your support matters so much to the women who depend on it.
With gratitude,
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