Construction of Bihi Birth Centre

We are excited to announce that through Dr Thomas from Human Care Education, we have received funding from Merck Family Foundation to build the very first Birth Centre in Bihi village, Nubri, Nepal!

Envisioned as a two-story facility, the Bihi Birth Centre aims to provide comprehensive care with six purposefully designed rooms. The ground floor features a birthing room, kitchen, and an equipment/checkup room, while the second floor houses the nurse’s bedroom, a store room and a pharmacy. Thoughtful planning includes a toilet adjacent to the birthing room for the comfort of expectant mothers. A chef will also be employed to cook and provide nutritious meals for mothers who had just given birth. Part of the medical equipment for the Birthing Centre have been provided by the Nepali Government.

The idea to build a Birthing Centre was a very deep and heartfelt wish of Nubtul Rinpoche to honor all mothers, having lost his own mother at 14 years old, when she was giving birth to his youngest brother. His own aunt also lost her life due to childbirth complications. It is estimated that 1 to 2 expectant mothers lose their lives each year during pregnancy and childbirth in this remote area of lower Nubri region. 

Many expectant mothers in Nubri take great risks when giving birth in their home villages. They refuse to travel to the current Bihi clinic as with its limited facilities and space, there is no place expectant mothers can stay for delivery. Due to high costs, they also cannot afford to travel to Kathmandu. As such, the Bihi Birth Centre hopes to provide expectant mothers a safe environment for giving birth as well as a care support system.

Nubri has many villages which are scattered (i.e. they are about 1 to 6h walk from each other) across the terrain. Thus, it is financially challenging and unsustainable to build a Birthing Centre in every village. Being the most centralised among the villages, Bihi was the chosen location to build the Birth Centre. Expectant mothers in Nubri will be encouraged to make their way to the Bihi Birth Centre when they are a month or so away from their estimated due date.

The initial phase of the construction was marked months ago by a land-cutting smoke puja ceremony by Karma Rinpoche. Presently, we are preparing for the materials for the actual construction, which include the cutting of beams, planks and square stones. The actual construction of the Bihi Birth Centre is estimated to commence in 2^nd Quarter of 2024.

As the service provided by the Bihi Birth Centre will be free of charge for expectant mothers, the sustainability of this initiative is solely dependent on donations. Should you feel connected to this cause, you are welcome to donate any amount. Together, we can save lives and help build a future where every mother can experience safe and compassionate care.

Thank you!

© Mahasukha Foundation. All Rights Reserved.