Posted by Ryan Schwarz
Nepali film-maker Subina Shrestha has produced a new documentary on birthing practices in western Nepal and their effect on women’s health. The production was recently aired in an episode of WITNESS, an Al Jazeera television production. Shrestha explores why Nepal has among the highest rates of maternal mortality in South Asia; it can be viewed here:
The episode features Nyaya’s Sanfe Bagar Clinic during minute 6; the Clinic was opened in 2008 and turned over to the Nepali Ministry of Health and Population in 2009. Later, in minutes 19 through 21, Shrestha interviews staff at Nyaya’s Bayalpata Hospital to discuss their attempts to reduce maternal mortality in the region.
We encourage others to think critically about the presentation of social, economic and political issues that affect health equity among women. Nyaya will continue to work for collaborative and innovative ways to combat the barriers to health care that women in this region face, and we applaud Shrestha’s work and Al Jazeera’s willingness to highlight these important concerns.
[...] women, structures are in place that prevent the types of deaths described below from occurring. These deaths happen all too frequently in Achham, and they are wholly preventable. This terrible death is an awful reminder of the long road ahead [...]