,Kalikot, Feb. 8; Two pregnant women were rescued by helicopter from Kalikot on a single day. One of the women was rescued from Palanta Rural Municipality-6 and another from Pachaljharana Rural Municipality 9 of Kalikot district.

When she was unable to give birth to her baby in the local health post, Riuli Rokaya of Palanta was airlifted to the Provincial Hospital in Surkhet by helicopter on Wednesday morning as advised by the health workers. Likewise, Ausi Tirua from Pachaljharna was rescued in the evening, according to Assistant Chief District Officer of Kalikot Saroj Adhikari. 

Given the urgency of her labour pains, she was timely rescued by helicopter. Local Jayamal Budha praised the helicopter rescue plan for women in remote parts of the country as an excellent initiative of the government. Budha expressed that had there not been the programme, the woman could not have been saved. 

Deputy Secretary and Information Officer at the President’s Office Archana Khadka said that the Presidential Women’s Upliftment Programme, initiated during the tenure of former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, was aimed at serving the women of the remote areas.

She informed many pregnant women and new mothers have been rescued and saved from the remote areas by giving continuity to the programme. The project is operating under the Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens.

Upon receiving a recommendation from the relevant health institution, the District Administration Office forwards a reference to the Ministry of Home Affairs. In cases where pregnant women in remote areas encounter difficulties during childbirth, immediate helicopter rescue operations are initiated to ensure their safety.

Nita Sharma, the Air Rescue Liaison Person for the Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens, emphasised that the President’s Women’s Upliftment Programme has effectively put an end to premature deaths of women. She further highlighted that the programme has been a big relief to women of remote areas and underscored the ministry’s commitment to ensuring its long-term sustainability.