KATHMANDU, MAY 18
Minister for Health and Population Pradip Paudel has said that a decline in foreign development aid has hampered Nepal's life-saving programmes for mothers, children, and newborns, urging international donors, including the United Nations, to continue their support.
Addressing a roundtable discussion ahead of the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, Minister Paudel said the reduction in assistance has posed significant challenges to Nepal's healthcare delivery.
As Nepal progresses towards graduating from the category of low and middle-income countries to a developing nation, key health services risk being disrupted due to shrinking aid, the Minister Paudel noted, according to his private secretariat.
Paudel highlighted that the suspension of crucial services has affected around five million women of reproductive age, while nutrition programmes for 1.5 million children under five are also at risk. Additionally, cuts in reproductive health education and services could impact 3.5 million adults.
Citing data showing a 71 per cent drop in Nepal's maternal mortality rate per 100,000 live births in 2023 compared to 2000, the Minister expressed optimism that the country remains on track to meet health-related Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
