What to know from AP’s report about pregnant women and babies dying in Nepal amid USAID cuts

U.S. cuts to foreign aid have contributed to a rise in deaths among pregnant women and babies in Nepal, according to a recent Associated Press report. The elimination of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) by the Trump administration has severely impacted maternal and child health programs globally. In Nepal, funding cuts led to the closure of programs aimed at saving mothers' and babies' lives.

These cuts resulted in the loss of nutrition programs, birthing center equipment, medicine, and staff, leaving scores of birthing centers without necessary resources.

The U.S. cuts, along with reductions from other countries, forced 60 percent of women's organizations to reduce their services. In response, the Gates Foundation predicts that 2025 will be the first year since records began that child deaths will increase. In Nepal, the closure of programs meant that many pregnant women struggled to access proper nutrition and medical care. As a result, women often failed to identify complications in time, leading to emergencies and fatalities.

Health workers, government officials, and families in Nepal report that the funding cuts have had a devastating impact on pregnant women and babies. One example is Kabita Mukhiya, a 20-year-old woman from a poor village near the India border. She experienced severe stomach pains, swelling, and delirium due to eclampsia, a complication of high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Unable to access proper medical care, Mukhiya and her unborn baby died after weeks of neglect. Mukhiya's story highlights the dire consequences of funding cuts that left women isolated and uneducated about their health conditions.