Kathmandu, November 6

AIDS Health Care Foundation along with a dozen other NGOs working in the field of HIV/AIDS today submitted a memorandum to the World Bank for not amending the status of Nepal as a medium income country.

The World Bank had earlier categorised Nepal as Low Income Country.

Submitting a memorandum to Country Director of World Bank Takuya Kamata, these organisations said there will be a direct impact on the health system of Nepal if the status was not amended as the health system in Nepal is backed up by international assistance.

Deepak Dhungel, country programme manager of AIDS Care Foundation, informed that they had submitted the memorandum drawing the attention of the World Bank to the issue.

The re-categorisation will automatically increase the price rate of antiretroviral drugs, which will negatively affect a low income country.

On the occasion, Takuya Kamata said that they will seriously consider the issue raised by the organisations and work accordingly without affecting the health system of the country.

Nepal is able to purchase anti-retroviral drugs as international donors have prioritised low income countries while providing their assistance.