Nepal-WHO Country Report 2018-22: Positive Outlook for Nepal Health Sector

Creating New Hope for Nepal’s Health Sector, the Nepal-WHO Country Strategy (CCS) 2018-2022 report revealed some really encouraging numbers!

This report was collated by Nepal Ministry of Health and Population, its health partners and the WHO Country Office by extracting excerpts from some previous health policies and strategies which include the National Health Policy – 2014, Nepal Health Sector Strategy (2015-20) and international commitments made by Nepal Government.

These health statistics are important as they come at a time when Nepal is on the pathway to establishing political stability.

They determine the recently established Federal Government’s effectiveness in ensuring quality healthcare through the implementation of awareness programs, provision of quality drugs and collaboration with key health stakeholders.

Following are the findings of the report:

• Nepal’s life expectancy rate is steadily increasing. The life expectancy in 2011 stood at 65 years in comparison with 55 years two decades ago. The statistics indicate a 3.5-year increase for every 10 years since 2000
• The country’s progress in reducing maternal and child deaths has been internationally acknowledged, especially because the South-East Asian region records the highest maternal mortality rate
• Nepal is one of the six countries in the given region to have achieved the targeted MDG of ‘four’ in terms of infant mortality rate
• In the last two decades, child mortality in Nepal has been reduced by 72% and maternal mortality by 52%
• Instances of Polio, Leprosy (at the national level), Trachoma have been eliminated, while the country is also on track to completely eradicate Kala Azar and Lymphatic Filariasis
• There are significant achievements in reducing HIV and TB instances in the country
• Nepal is on track to achieve Malaria-free status by 2025
• The country’s population was about 26 million in 2011 and is expected to exceed 33 billion by 2030
• The ‘under-five’ infant mortality rate declined over the last couple of decades from 1000 live births to 21 in 2016
• The maternal mortality ratio decreased from 100000 to 239 in 2016
• The neonatal mortality rate decreased from 50 in 1991 to 33 in 2011

Nepal-WHO Strategy for 2018-2022:
Despite these motivating numbers, the Himalayan nation has a long way to go in dealing with its health issues. In this regard, the Nepal Health Secretary, Nepal Health and Population Ministry senior management and the WHO regional office sat together to prepare a four-point strategy that the WHO will implement over the next 5 years to secure its hold over the ever-cropping health issues.

1) Advancing universal health coverage in a federalized governance structure
2) Effective delivery of priority public health programs
3) Enhance health security and disaster preparedness and response
4) Multisectoral engagement and partnerships for improved health outcomes

We hope that Nepal Government with support from WHO and key health representatives will be able to achieve it health goals within the stipulated time frame.