Launching Crowdfunding Campaign to Create a Safe Birth Environment in Nepal and Save Small Lives

ASHA, a certified nonprofit organization (hereafter referred to as ASHA), has launched a crowdfunding campaign to spread neonatal resuscitation techniques in rural areas of Nepal, where access to healthcare is limited, in order to save as many newborn lives as possible. The campaign runs from January 8, 2025, to February 28, 2025, with a target amount of 3 million yen.

Crowdfunding Page: https://readyfor.jp/projects/ASHA-NRT2025

■ Background: Current Situation of Childbirth in Nepal

In Nepal, many pregnant women still prefer to give birth at home due to geographical, economic, and psychological reasons. However, unlike in Japan, where qualified midwives attend births, it is common in Nepal for non-professionals such as mothers-in-law or relatives to be present. As a result, appropriate care is often not provided, which can lead to the loss of a newborn's life.

The causes of this situation include "insufficient medical facilities," "lack of healthcare provider skills," and "public mistrust of healthcare," which put the lives of many mothers and babies at risk during childbirth.

According to UNICEF (2024), the estimated neonatal mortality rate in Nepal is 17 per 1,000 live births, which is significantly higher compared to Japan’s rate of 0.8 per 1,000 live births. Additionally, the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) shows that two-thirds of under-five mortality occurs during the neonatal period, and the neonatal mortality rate among pregnant women in poverty is about twice that of women from wealthier backgrounds. ASHA has been carrying out activities to educate women about the importance of delivering in medical facilities, through health staff selected from the local community.

However, despite these efforts, the healthcare infrastructure remains insufficient, and the impact of ASHA’s initiatives is still limited.

■ Project Overview

ASHA has focused on improving the quality of healthcare through digital tools, addressing geographical barriers to access, and enhancing health literacy among local populations. However, our field experience has shown that true improvement in healthcare access also requires strengthening both the quality of medical services and self-care.

To tackle this challenge, ASHA is now expanding its efforts by enhancing the local healthcare system and directly promoting life-saving skills for newborns in remote areas.

1. Promotion of Neonatal Resuscitation Training Using Practical Simulations

To help save the lives of high-risk newborns, we aim to promote the use of neonatal resuscitation techniques by introducing simulation-based training that allows healthcare workers to thoroughly learn and practice the skills before facing real-life situations, along with the implementation of more advanced training programs.

This initiative will not be limited to rural areas but will also target urban hospitals in the capital, Kathmandu. As ASHA’s first nationwide project, we aim to work in collaboration with the Nepal Pediatric Society, with the goal of establishing a country-wide training program.

2. Strengthening Regional Hospitals

One of the core components of this project is upgrading healthcare infrastructure in Mantali, a city with the nearest central hospital to Likhu Tamakoshi, ASHA’s main area of activity. Currently, the hospital is equipped with only basic medical tools.

We plan to introduce a CTG monitor—a vital device used to detect fetal and maternal abnormalities during labor—and train medical professionals in its use. Regular follow-ups will be conducted to ensure sustainable capacity building, with the ultimate goal of enabling local staff to independently manage the equipment and ensure safe deliveries.

3. Strengthening the Community Health Workers System

In areas without medical facilities or personnel, someone must still be available to provide support. That’s the aim of ASHA’s Community Health Worker (CHW) initiative. Under this system, local residents are trained and employed as health workers to visit pregnant women and patients with chronic illnesses on a monthly basis. They monitor health status, encourage timely visits to medical facilities when necessary, and deliver health education to those in stable condition.

However, the need for continuous skills improvement among non-medical CHW and better coordination with medical facilities has become evident. This project will invest in capacity building, establish stronger networks, and improve the collaboration framework between CHW and healthcare institutions to increase the overall impact of our work.

■ Use of Funds

This project aims not to solve a single issue, but to tackle multiple challenges in a comprehensive manner. To make it a reality, we need a substantial amount of funding. As this cannot be fully covered by grants alone, we have decided to launch this crowdfunding campaign.

With your support, we will introduce essential medical equipment and conduct skill-based training in local medical institutions in rural Nepal. Together, we hope to save as many lives as possible—lives that can and should be saved.

How the funds will be used:

• Salaries for local staff

• Travel and accommodation costs for ASHA staff

• Training equipment and materials

• Training-related expenses (venue rental, transportation support for participants)