Birthing centres, crucial for mother and newborn safety, face funding cuts under new budget
Summary
Nepal's Safe Motherhood Programme faces a 20% budget cut for fiscal year 2026–27, threatening birthing centres and neonatal care critical to reducing maternal and child mortality.
Key Points
- The government has reduced the Safe Motherhood Programme budget by 20 percent for fiscal year 2026–27 across federal, provincial, and local governments.
- There are over 2,700 birthing centres operated mainly by contract skilled birth attendants who risk job losses due to funding cuts.
- The Safe Motherhood Programme has significantly reduced maternal and child mortality rates by over 70 percent in the last two decades.
- Without increased budget, birthing centres, lab services, and other key maternal health services will likely stop in a few months.
