Removing obstacles to maternal and child health in Nepal

Marella Falat, a student midwife at

A young child in Nepal

UBC, traveled to Nepal to work with the Midwifery Society of Nepal (MIDSON). MIDSON is the national professional forum for midwives in Nepal. It exists to strengthen midwifery services and to organize and amplify the voices of midwives in order to improve maternal and neonatal health in Nepal, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas.

Of her experience, Marella writes:

"In Nepal, 81% of the population identifies as Hindu. One of their many gods is Ganesha: the elephant god. He is known as the remover of obstacles. The babies and children of Nepal face many obstacles to good health. The research and clinical placement I participated in is only one small piece in helping to reduce neonatal, infant and maternal morbidity and mortality in this fascinating, diverse, beautiful and difficult place. I am grateful for the opportunity. It has made me even more fiercely committed to the global struggle to provide evidence-based, compassionate care to mothers and neonates."

Marella and student midwives at MIDSON