While NDHS usually provides survey reports on various health issues, the 2016 NDHS- the fifth edition has come up with its findings on hypertension for the first time in its history.

Major Progress in Maternal and Child Health

The 2016 survey highlighted major progress in maternal and child health situation in Nepal over the last 20 years.

The findings have shown a decline in the percentage of stunted children by 14% during 2001-06, by an additional 16% during 2006-11 and a drop by 12% during 2011-16, with a similar trend downwards in case of underweight children.

According to the survey, the nutritional status of children in Nepal has improved over the two decades.

                  (Source: 2016 NDHS Report)

            (Source: 2016 NDHS Report)

Decline in Line with Millennium Development Goals

“This decline has been in line with the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target. However, there is still a long way to go to meet the SDG target of reducing stunting to 31% and underweight to 25 percent among children under 5 by 2017 (NPC 2015),” said the report.

                      (Source: 2016 NDHS Report)

With regard to infant mortality, there has been a decline from 78 per 1,000 live births to 32 during 1996-2016.

Pointing at a sharp decline in under-five mortality from 118 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1996 to 39 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2016, the survey found that more children in the country are surviving early childhood than ever before.

Fertility levels and preferences, marriage, sexual activity, nutrition, breast feeding practices, anemia, childhood and maternal mortality, maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections and domestic violence are among other health issues covered under the survey.

Data Relevant to National Health Strategy

             (Source: 2016 NDHS Report)

The 2016 NDHS also provides indicators relevant to the Nepal Health Sector Strategy (NHSS) 2016-2021 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), informed an official release.

The data collection for the survey was carried out from June 19, 2016 to January 31, 2017.

The 2016 NDHS was implemented by New Era under the aegis of the Ministry of Health, Nepal and was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

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Nepal is observing the World Cities Day today with the national slogan for this year being ‘Town Planning in Federal Nepal’.

To mark the Day, the Nepali Ministry of Urban Development and related committees organized special programs yesterday.

According to the Ministry Spokesperson Shambhu KC, the Government of Nepal has planned to celebrate the World Cities Day and World Habitat Day together.

Through these programs, the Nepali Government aims at bringing together all the stakeholders for their active role in town planning across the central, provincial and local bodies of the country.

On the occasion, Director General at the Department of Urban Development and Construction Ramesh Prasad Singh informed about the construction of four satellite cities in Kathmandu city.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared October 31 of every year as the World Cities Day, on December 27, 2013.

The World Cities Day is followed by the Town Planning Day on November 8 every year.

Kathmandu Most Sensitive to Earthquakes

Improper urban planning and development made Kathmandu become one of the major cities most sensitive to earthquakes, globally.

To address this issue, the government is planning urban development in Kathmandu and across federal Nepal.

For Sustainable Urban living

Nations across the globe observe the World Cities Day as a call for planned and sustainable urban living and celebrate it with the theme: ‘Better City, Better Life’.

Whereas, the theme for World Cities Day 2017 is ‘Innovative Governance, Open Cities’ aimed at overall development and social inclusion.

More than half of the population, globally, reside in urban areas and Nepal is expected to witness around 62 percent urbanization post the reconstruction activity.

However, the records show most of the urban centers in Nepal, other than Kathmandu Valley, fall under ‘ruralpolis’ category, which includes rural areas legally classified as urban centers.

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Kathmandu-based Yeti Airlines is working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as part of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) promotion programme under 2030 Agenda.

The partnership focuses on promotion of SDG-branding icons, creating awareness campaigns, concrete plans for the achievement of SDGs.

These aircraft will take the action plans related to SDGs and all the related messages to all parts of the country where aircraft provide a vital transport and connectivity.

According to UN, this partnership between UNDP and Yeti Airlines, in addition to the SDG-branded aircraft, includes the ‘Goals’ features on boarding passes and airport shuttle buses, information leaflets on sustainable development and social media campaigns along with a link on the airline’s website for donating to UNDP programmes in country.

“This is a powerful example to show the world that in partnership with the private sector, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development can really take off,” said Renaud Meyer, the UNDP Country Director for Nepal announcing the new aircraft livery.

He further lauded the initiative saying, ““We are very pleased to see these airplanes flying in Nepali skies, spreading messages on how we can tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges.”

More Such Campaigns in Pipeline

Apart from that, the partnership also intends to involve stakeholders and advocates in implementation process, create innovative and sustainable business models in the aviation and tourism industries, among others to help Nepal meet key SDG indicators related to climate change, gender equality and poverty reduction.

SDGs, adopted by UN Member States in 2015, allow partnerships with the private sector in mobilizing resources, technology and innovation to take forward the implementation of the SDG agenda.

“In Nepal, we have been exploring ways in which UN could help the local businesses grow more responsible and SDG-friendly,” said Mr. Meyer and also informed that more such joint initiatives will be implemented to help the country meet its 2030 agenda.

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“Local bodies will have to own SDGs,” noted NPC in its report titled ‘National Report on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’ released on August 02, 2017. It said a strong partnership between three tiers of government — federal, provincial and local — is extremely necessary to integrate SDGs into local-level structures.”

NPC also urged the Central government to provide sufficient funds at grass-root levels, thus enabling them to come up with various developmental programmes that meet UN-backed goals.

The Commission also pitched on the need for workshop and training sessions stating, “Consultation, workshops and trainings will be required to ensure that SDGs are incorporated in provincial and local plans. It is also equally important to ensure effective participation of women, youth and other marginalized groups in planning and implementation of SDGs at local level.”

SDGs, a follow-up on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that expired at the end of 2015, include 17 goals and 169 targets that cover a broad range of issues regarding sustainable development in Nepal. These UN-formed goals will have to be met by 2030.

Ending poverty & hunger, sustainable industrialization, inclusive & sustainable economic growth, employment and overall welfare of the public form major elements of SDGs.

Fund Crunch, a Major Challenge

According to the World Bank Council, implementation of SDGs will require at least USD 1.5 trillion a year at the global level.

It is still uncertain on how much the Nepali Government will have to invest on SDGs of Nepal, however, the government’s own financial resources were found insufficient.

“Therefore, Nepal is trying to manage financial resources from a triangular partnership, which includes the public and private sectors as well as development partners, as meeting SDGs is a shared responsibility of the national and international communities,” says the NPC report.

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