Rukum, July 27: The emergency air rescue service for pregnant women, new mothers and critically ill newborns has become a vital lifeline for families in Nepal’s remote and mountainous regions, helping save lives by providing rapid access to advanced medical care.
Under the programme, women experiencing life-threatening pregnancy or childbirth complications, as well as critically ill newborns, are airlifted by helicopter to better-equipped hospitals for emergency treatment.
Samir KC of Chaurjahari Municipality-7 said the service saved both his wife and newborn child after his wife, Roshana Oli, developed severe complications during childbirth on July 3. According to KC, Chaurjahari Hospital referred Roshana to a higher-level hospital after she suffered excessive bleeding caused by placenta previa, a condition in which the placenta blocks the birth canal.
She was immediately airlifted to Karnali Province Hospital in Surkhet, where doctors performed emergency surgery that saved the lives of both mother and baby. Similarly, Nandakala Roka of Musikot Municipality-14 described the programme as a blessing for families living in remote areas.
Her 19-year-old sister, Sushila Roka, was rescued by helicopter after developing serious complications during childbirth. Sushila gave birth to twins at Salle District Hospital on June 4, but the premature babies were underweight and suffering from oxygen deficiency, while the mother experienced severe bleeding following a caesarean section.
The emergency air evacuation enabled all three to receive timely specialist treatment, saving their lives. According to the District Administration Office, 18 women from Rukum West were airlifted under the programme during the 2025/26 fiscal year, and all received timely treatment at referral hospitals.
Chief District Officer Nishan Raj Gautam said the helicopter rescue service has proven highly effective in reducing maternal and newborn deaths in remote areas where road access and emergency healthcare facilities remain limited. The programme was launched in 2018/19 under the President Women Upliftment Programme and has been operating under the National Women’s Empowerment Project since last year.
It provides free helicopter evacuation for women suffering from severe childbirth complications, including excessive bleeding and other life-threatening conditions where delays in treatment could be fatal. Critically ill newborns are also eligible for emergency air transport. The government has fully implemented the programme in 19 districts and partially expanded it to 29 additional districts across the country.
In Rukum West, last year’s 18 rescue missions included six women from Musikot Municipality, three from Aathbiskot Municipality, two each from Chaurjahari Municipality, Triveni Rural Municipality, Sanibheri Rural Municipality and Banphikot Rural Municipality, and one woman from Sisne Rural Municipality in neighbouring Rukum East. #nepal
