BAJURA: Many villages in Bichchhaya region falling under wards 1, 2 and 3 of Himali Rural Municipality in Bajura district are deprived of basic healthcare facilities and the plight of people goes unheard amidst government's promise to provide free basic healthcare to all its citizens. According to the Himali Rural Municipality chair, Govinda Bahadur Malla, most villages in the rural municipality are deprived of basic health services. It takes more than a day to reach a health facility from Kot village in ward no. 1, said local resident Nani Bohara. It is difficult to provide primary healthcare services to ailing patients and residents of Gumba in Himali Rural Municipality-3, one of the most remote areas of Bajura, due to which the locals have always relied on herbs for treatment of various conditions. “Healthcare needs aren’t easily answered where it takes 2-3 days to reach a health facility and the herbs help us save the travelling time,' says a local, Jagat Lama. Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) Premkala Malla, who works at Rugin Health Post, also shared the common plight of the locals. A total of 80 families of Kiudi village and 84 families of Bichchhaya village -- a large section of people -- are deprived of proper healthcare in Himali Rural Municipality. Due to geographical remoteness, Lalmati Bohara had to deliver a baby at home. No woman in Kuidi village has ever delivered a baby at a health centre, Bohara said. Difficulties in reaching a health facility has compelled the women to be treated at home, said Chandrakala Budha, vice-chair of the rural municipality. She added that the rural municipality is preparing to set up community health centres in some of these far-flung areas. Likewise, many villages in Swamikartik Rural Municipality, Jagannath Rural Municipality, and Budinanda Municipality have no access to basic healthcare. It takes a minimum of four to five hours to access primary healthcare facilities, according to Jagannath Rural Municipality. According to Dharma Budha, Health Coordinator at Health Office, Bajura, only 69 women underwent institutional deliveries as per the statistic of fiscal year 2018-19. (Translated by Madhavi Marasini)