Until recently, three in 100 Nepali babies died before they were 28 days old, often from infections introduced into the body through the umbilical cord stump. This is because in Nepal, where home delivery is common, a newborn’s umbilical cord has traditionally been cut with dirty household tools, such as knives or sickles used in the fields. And then substances like oil, turmeric or even cow dung were rubbed on the stump to encourage “healing.” However, all that is changing thanks the support of USAID. USAID and partner JSI helped develop and are now scaling up the use of a simple, low-cost antiseptic gel which is being provided to pregnant women throughout the country free of charge. A network of around 50,000 female volunteer health workers, like the one featured in this film, teach communities how this little tube and new healthy practices can save their babies’ lives.
