Pregnant woman in critical condition in Darchula after air rescue delay; baby dies in womb

Darchula: The health condition of 24-year-old Sheetal Lawad of Lekam Rural Municipality-2, Pipalkot, has become critical after experiencing complications during childbirth. Her family members said she began bleeding heavily on Monday night after going into labor.

Sheetal was taken to the Sarmoli Health Post in Garadi that same night. According to health worker Kavita Pokharel, the process to rescue her via helicopter was initiated after providing initial treatment. The District Administration Office, Darchula, had also sent a formal request to the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens for an air rescue.

“The helicopter was being prepared, but the referral was stopped after the patient’s condition appeared to improve,” Pokharel said. “She gave birth within a few hours, but unfortunately, the baby had already died in the womb.”

Sheetal’s husband, Bhaskar Lawad, said her condition worsened again, prompting her referral to Gokuleshwar Hospital and subsequently to Dadeldhura Hospital for further treatment. He said that she was transferred due to excessive bleeding but is now struggling to afford medical expenses.

“Although my wife has been admitted to Dadeldhura Hospital, I don’t have the money to buy the medicines prescribed by the doctor,” Bhaskar said. “We are very poor. I’m wandering around the hospital trying to figure out how to buy the medicine.”

He further said that although the helicopter rescue process had been completed, health workers decided not to call the helicopter, stating that the patient’s condition was normal at that time. According to him, the refusal to proceed with the air rescue led to the death of the baby and the worsening of Sheetal’s health condition.