Minister for Health and Population Pradip Paudel has warned that a decline in foreign development aid is undermining Nepal’s maternal, child, and newborn health programs, and called on international donors, including the United Nations, to ensure continued support.
Speaking at a roundtable discussion ahead of the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, Minister Paudel said the cuts in foreign assistance have created serious challenges in delivering life-saving services.
“As Nepal progresses toward graduation from a least developed country status, key health services are at risk due to declining development aid,” the minister was quoted as saying by his private secretariat.
He highlighted that around 5 million women of reproductive age and 1.5 million children under the age of five could be affected by the disruption of essential health and nutrition programs. In addition, reductions in funding for reproductive education and services are expected to impact around 3.5 million adults.
Citing progress in maternal health, Minister Paudel noted that Nepal's maternal mortality rate dropped by 71 percent in 2023 compared to the year 2000. He expressed confidence that with sustained support, the country could still achieve its maternal and child health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
