LAHAN: Maternal and infant mortality in Siraha became nil in Siraha thanks to encouragement from the government to expectant mothers to go to health institutions for delivery.

No mother or a newborn died in course of delivery in Siraha in the fiscal year 2015/16, according to the District Public Health Office, Siraha. It has been possible as expecting mothers have begun coming for regular check-up and also for delivery to health institutions, said chief of the Safe motherhood unit at the Office, Renu Rai.

Six newborn had died in the fiscal year 2014/15, though though maternal mortality was already zero in the district.

It may be noted that the government has been providing an extra allowance of Rs. 500 for women coming to health institutions for delivery, along with free service and warm clothes for the newborn.

A total of 8,856 women had given birth at health centres in the fiscal year 2015/16. According to the office, other 430 delivered their children at home with the help of skilled health workers.