It was encouraging to know that 62 per cent of health centres offer basic health services related to child health, family planning and antenatal care. It was revealed by a Nepal Health Facility Survey 2015 report, “62 per cent health centres offer basic facilities” (THT, Jan 31, Page 2). This can be taken as a great leap forward of the government towards improvement of local health delivery systems. However, it has still a long way to go to provide other basic health services from its VDC level health posts throughout the country. Most of these health posts, especially in the rural areas, are not properly equipped with appropriate equipment, adequate supplies and other physical facilities. Not all these health facilities have proper pro-client latrines and drinking water system.

Medicines supplied by the government to these health facilities hardly last for six months.  Unless the government improves its medicine supply system to these health facilities, people will continue to suffer in the coming days. They are compelled to buy medicines from private clinics at inflated prices. Lack of trained health staff in the remote rural areas has hampered the delivery of quality health services. This problem has been going on for a long time. The government has failed to address this issue. Credit should be given to the private health institutions for producing more health workers who, however, hesitate to go to the rural areas and serve the people. The government should find out appropriate alternatives to lure health workers to go to the rural areas and provide basic health services to the needy.

According to the survey report, not all the health facilities have all the basic amenities which are needed to provide basic health services. It is said that the local health delivery system in Nepal is one of the best among Asian countries.

However, due to lack of proper monitoring and supervision, quality services to the people are still questionable. Access to basic health services is the right of every citizen of Nepal.

Rai Biren Bangdel, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu

Dowry scourge

Marriages across the globe in almost all ethnic groups are an important socio-cultural as well as socio-economic practice that binds members of the society and community.  Marriages are not only the union of two souls but also an integrative practice in socially binding members of different clans, societies, groups or communities. However, in almost all the nations of the subcontinent, marriage, although a strong socio-cultural and religious practice, is also a big pain due to the practice of accepting and paying dowry between the families involved. It has a huge negative impact on the subcontinent’s societies, and almost every bride’s family has to pass through a painful process to collect the agreed dowry amount. Furthermore, marriages involve unnecessary expenses putting financial burdens on the participating families.

Saikat Kumar Basu, Canada