Nepal sees sharp drop in hospital births
Summary
Nepal is experiencing a significant decline in hospital births, with institutional delivery rates dropping from 80% to 74% within a year, signaling changing fertility patterns and potential challenges for maternal health programs.
Key Points
- Hospital data from major maternity centers in Nepal show a sharp decrease in births over recent years.
- Institutional delivery nationwide has dropped from 80% to 74% in one year according to Health Ministry data.
- Experts suggest the decline in births and hospital deliveries may be due to reduced referrals, lower fertility rates, and increased local-level services.
- Nepal’s maternal mortality rate has significantly decreased since 2000, but the falling birth and institutional delivery rates may prompt a reconsideration of population policies.
