LUMBINI PROVINCE, Nepal — In late October, at the Bheri Hospital in Nepal’s western Terai region, 40-year-old Anita Yadav delivered a stillborn baby. Hours later, complications claimed her life as well.
A week earlier, Anita had been past her due date when intense abdominal pain began. Unable to travel on her own or afford transportation, Anita waited for days for her husband’s permission. Her husband Khushiram Yadav, in turn, sought approval from his father, who insisted Anita deliver at home as others in their community had done.
But with no baby in sight, Khushiram eventually went door-to-door among neighbors in the village of Gangapur, borrowing 5,000 Nepalese rupees ($34) to reach a nearby health clinic. There, nurses were unable to detect a fetal heartbeat but did record signs of infection. They immediately referred Anita to a hospital with more advanced services, about 25 miles away.
About the author
Sunita Neupane
Sunita Neupane is an independent journalist based in Kathmandu, Nepal. She is dedicated to covering sensitive topics such as public health, LGBTQ issues, and human rights. With a strong focus on social justice, she uses her reporting to amplify voices within her community. Her work has previously been featured in the Global Press Journal.
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