BAJURA: It has come to light that women who have given birth to babies and others who received antenatal services from health institutions in Budhinanda Municipality of Bajura district have not received any incentives yet, as promised by the government.

Under the AAMA Programme, the government has committed to provide incentives of Rs 3,000 to women who deliver their baby at a health facility and Rs 800 to those who undergo at least four antenatal check-ups doing the course of pregnancy, in the fiscal year 2018/19.

It has been reported that a total of 188 women — 136 who gave birth to babies at Kolti Primary Health Centre, 34 at Pandusen Health Post, and 18 at Badhu Health Post — in Budhinanda Municipality have not received any incentives yet.

The government has made allowances compulsory for pregnant women and new mothers as encouragement to have regular check-ups and give birth at health centres.

Biura Bohora of Budhinanda-1, who gave birth to a baby at Pandusen on March 15, said she did not receive any incentives. She said that she did not even get warm clothes promised for a new mother and her baby. Likewise, Arati Dhami of Budhinanda-8 also said she did not get any incentives.

According to health coordinator at Budhinanda, Jashiran Luwar, only Rs 1.35 million has been sent to the municipality which was not enough. In contrast, chief at the planning division of the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), Surya Khadka said a total of Rs 2.85 million was sent to the municipality in three tranches.

Deputy mayor of the municipality, Shristi Regmi said that she was not aware that the amount supposed for the incentives were received except for the health coordinator's information that the amount was not received.

Moreover, 77 women in Triveni Municipality and 30 in Chhededaha Rural Municipality have not received any incentives.

On the other hand, all the pregnant women and new mothers in Badimalika Municipality and Himali Rural Municipality have received the incentives. Besides, the amount meant for women in Budhiganga Municipality proved to be more than enough and Rs 400,000 remained in balance even after providing the allowances, the municipality's health coordinator Deepak Shah informed.

Khadka said that the MoHP had repeatedly asked the municipalities and rural municipalities whether the budgets were adequate, upon which additional amount could be sent. But none of the municipalities inquired, Khadka said.