Pregnant women face high risk of mortality in rural Nepal

In Nepal, at least three mothers die every day while giving birth. The Himalayan nation has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. The far west of the country is one of the worst affected regions. For a simple check-up or ultrasound, some women have to walk for hours. And since maternity hospitals in the region are often several days’ walk away, many women give birth at home, without any medical assistance. In 2018, the government launched a programme to assign army helicopters to rescue pregnant women as a priority. Our correspondents report.