'New Born Screening' and mental health OPD service start at Maternity Hospital

KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 6 : Two new services have been introduced at Paropakar Maternity & Women's Hospital in Thapathali, Kathmandu. The hospital has started an Outpatient Department (OPD) service for mental health support for pregnant and post-partum women, as well as a ‘Newborn Screening’ service to detect hereditary diseases in infants.

Inaugurating the services, Health and Population Minister Pradeep Paudel emphasized the importance of these new offerings, stating that they are aimed at identifying potential mental health issues in pregnant women and assessing the risk of genetic disorders in newborns. Minister Paudel also committed to providing the necessary manpower and equipment to ensure the smooth operation of these services.

Hospital Director Dr. Shree Prasad Adhikari explained that the mental health OPD service was established in response to the high risk of anxiety and related issues during pregnancy and childbirth. He highlighted that untreated mental health problems not only affect women but also have a lasting impact on the physical, mental, and emotional development of their children. "If these problems are identified early, they can be managed effectively," said Dr. Adhikari.

Regarding the newborn screening service, Dr. Adhikari noted that it aims to detect and treat metabolic disorders in infants promptly, thereby reducing the mortality rate. Since July, the hospital has already conducted this test on 205 newborns.

The newborn screening test, commonly known as the ‘blood spot test,’ is conducted within a few days of birth and can detect various genetic disorders. Currently, the service can identify six hereditary diseases, with plans to expand to more conditions by adding additional resources in the future. Immediate treatment will be provided to babies who test positive for any of the detected conditions.