To enhance and promote maternal health, the Butwal Sub-Metropolitan Municipality has initiated the “Childbirth Cash 2000” program, offering a cash incentive of Rs 2,000 to residents who give birth at designated healthcare facilities within the city.
In a special ceremony held on Tuesday, the Sutkeri cash incentive program was officially launched in the sub-metropolitan city. As a gesture of appreciation, 50 mothers who had given birth since July were invited and presented with the cash incentive.
Mayor Khelraj Pandey, in addition to the monetary reward, also distributed nutritional supplies to babies born in July. Emphasizing the importance of improving the well-being of both mothers and newborns, he highlighted the introduction of a nutritional allowance program. Obstetric services are currently available at Lumbini Provincial Hospital, Amda Hospital, and Semlar Health Chowki, all located within the Butwal sub-metropolitan city.
Under the program, eligible recipients will receive the cash incentive regardless of the healthcare institution in which they give birth. Savitradevi Aryal, the deputy head of the Butwal sub-metropolitan city, explained that the introduction of the cash incentive program aims to empower women, gather health-related information, and ensure safe deliveries.
Previously, officials used to visit the homes of expectant mothers to provide ghee and jawano (traditional items). However, this year, the program has been modified to include cash incentives. Approximately 3,500 deliveries occur within the Butwal sub-metropolitan city annually, with 3,150 births recorded by the end of May this year.
Tragically, in the previous fiscal year, a maternal death occurred within the Butwal sub-metropolis. Yuvraj Pandey, the head of the health department, stressed the significance of cash incentives in improving the nutritional status and overall health of underprivileged pregnant women who often face malnutrition challenges.