Deuba seeks AIIMS’ cooperation in safe motherhood, child health in Nepal

NEW DELHI: Arzu Rana Deuba, spouse of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, has called for cooperation in the field of safe motherhood and child health between Nepal and India. In a meeting with officials of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), during a visit to the institute on Saturday, Deuba said such a dedicated institute is also needed in Nepal and requested to help with the development of the necessary human resource and construction of infrastructure. Deuba is currently accompanying Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, who is on a three-day official visit to India that began on April 1. In the interaction with the experts of the institute, Dr Deuba said that there was a need to establish an institution like AIIMS in Nepal and develop it institutionally, adding that she would talk to Prime Minister Deuba and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about this. Although continuous efforts of governmental and non-governmental bodies have led to a decline in maternal mortality and infant mortality rate in Nepal, the sector is still facing challenges, she said. Support from AIIMS could be useful in this regard, especially in the far-western region of Nepal, where the rate is still high. Deuba, who is also a central member of the ruling Nepali Congress, has been working in the field of safe motherhood and child health in Nepal for the past three decades. She has been conducting campaigns in different parts of the country by introducing national and international practices to reduce maternal and infant mortality which is seen as a challenge in Nepal. Accepting Deuba's request, Acting Director of AIIMS, Prof Dr Nina Khanna, said that necessary initiatives will be taken in this regard soon. Dr Khanna expressed her pleasure to welcome Nepali experts including Deuba. She expressed her readiness to work in collaboration with the Government of Nepal in this sector. Dr Ram Padarth Bichha, Health Advisor to the Prime Minister, who holds MBBS and MD degrees from AIIMS, said the expansion of AIIMS service to Nepal will be of great help to the country. He said that there is possibility of working together in the development of skilled human resources, joint research, exchange of experiences and good practice in the field of safe motherhood and child health. Also present during the interaction were Prakash Bahadur Deuba, PM Deuba's personal secretary; his private physician, Dr Shail Rupakheti; and Deputy Chief of Protocol, Rewati Poudel. AIIMS Medical Superintendents Dr DK Sharma, Dr Neeraja Bhatla and Dr Aarti Vij were among the senior physicians and officials present on the occasion. READ ALSO: 

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