Nepal has made significant progress in reducing maternal mortality: Paudel

KATHMANDU: Minister for Health and Population, Pradeep Paudel, has stated that Nepal has made significant progress in reducing maternal and childbirth-related mortality over the past three decades.

Addressing the 58th session of the Commission on Population and Development at the United Nations headquarters on Monday, Minister Paudel highlighted Nepal’s success in increasing the use of skilled care and family planning tools, reducing fertility rates and adolescent birth rates and curbing child marriage. “Nepal is committed to strengthening its health system to provide healthcare services to every citizen,” Minister Paudel said, adding, “However, this is not something we can achieve alone.”

Paudel said that limited budget allocations for the health sector and per capita health expenditure, which is lower than global averages, have led to insufficient infrastructure development and a shortage of health facilities in rural areas, which is making healthcare access challenging. He also pointed out that climate change has added further difficulties to Nepal’s health sector. “With the increasing impact of climate change and natural disasters, it is more crucial than ever to enhance the resilience of our health system to cope with emergencies,” he added.

Minister Paudel said countries like Nepal are facing additional challenges due to a decline in development assistance. “We strongly advocate for increased development aid to Nepal,” Minister Paudel said, also underscoring the need for greater private sector investment in health.

Minister Paudel is leading Nepal’s delegation at the five-day session which began on Monday.