Quarterly Report
Q4 2020: October - December
Letter from the CEO
Dear One Heart Family,
With my first letter as the new CEO for OHW, I would first and foremost like to express my appreciation to each of you for the outpouring of encouragement and support this past year. 2020 was challenging for all of us in so many ways, and yet OHW is ending the year stronger and more resilient than ever. During this unprecedented time, our team not only overcame the many obstacles but made tremendous strides towards ensuring that essential maternal and newborn care remained accessible, even in the midst of a pandemic.
COVID-19 became particularly personal to our team after several staff members in Nepal tested positive, but we are relieved that most were very mild cases and that everyone so far has made a full recovery. Despite the many challenges our staff faced in Nepal, and thanks to their constant efforts and innovation, we reached many of our program targets.
I am honored and excited to lead such an incredible team. As I look to the new year and beyond, I continue to be optimistic about OHW’s journey and the lives we are transforming as we continue to grow. OHW has a remarkable history of serving vulnerable mothers and children, and I am committed to building upon that history as we expand our impact and strengthen our legacy.
Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to working with all of you in 2021.
Sincerely,
David
Q4 Highlights
Meet Nirmala Rai.
Nirmala is the Sapta Chhitapokhari Health Post In-Charge.
She is also one of the few women to hold such a position, where most men head the health posts.
Read more >
Story from the field
Building a culture of sustainable safe motherhood system in rural Nepal
One Heart Worldwide’s partnership with Nepal’s rural municipalities for upgrading birthing centers is helping the Nepal Government’s effort to enhance the quality of maternal care for new mothers who live in the most remote parts of the country. This story focuses on the success of the partnership in a rural municipality in Khotang, one of the country’s most remote districts.
By Naresh Newar in Khotang, Nepal
Birthing Center featured in the story is sponsored by Thankyou. Thankyou. is a longtime partner of One Heart and we are forever grateful for their continued support—through natural disasters and global pandemics!
Nisha B. with her son Nirjal. Both survived a complicated pregnancy with help of nurses at the birthing center.
“I am so lucky that the health post did so much to save both of us. I feel so relieved thinking about how so many mothers like me feel so safe.”
Research & Development Updates
Photos from the field
Okhaldhunga Staff cares for a patient after birth at Bilandu Health Post
MNH helpline guidelines orientation in Udayapur
Solukhumbu Maternal and Newborn Healthcare helpline at Panchan Health Post
Solukhumbu mother is evacuated from Jubu via helicopter after contact with the MNH helpline
Nuwakot prolonged labor case, referred to Trishuli hospital after consultation with OHW’s MNH emergency helpline service
Photo by Naresh Newar
FCHV Rama Khadka is an important member of OHW's safety network:
“We have been able to motivate many families to visit the birthing center for safe motherhood knowledge and practices due to the reputation of the new birthing centre.”
Photo by Naresh Newar
Health Coordinator Mustak Ahmad Ansari:
“We owe a lot of gratitude towards OHW as we wouldn’t be successful in building such a sustainable maternity care system without their support”