KOICA concludes Integrated Rural Development Project worth $4.7 million

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), together with implementing partner, Korea Development Strategy Institute (KDS) Consortium today successfully concluded the five-year project titled 'Empowering Rural Communities in Nepal through an Integrated Approach to Health and Income Growth'.

Partnering with Dhulikhel Hospital with a total budget of $4.7 million, the project aimed to improve the quality of life in rural areas through enhanced healthcare access and sustainable income generation, according to a press note issued by the KOIKA office in Kathmandu. 

Approximately 150 stakeholders attended the event, including officials from Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, federal and local governments, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nepal, KOICA Nepal Office, Dhulikhel Hospital, and civil society partners.

Implemented in four Dhulikhel Hospital Outreach centers across three districts (Tanahun, Sindhupalchowk, and Kavrepalanchok), the project supported agricultural infrastructure - including collection centers, vehicles, and demo farms - and provided training to strengthen farmer organisations, the press note reads, adding that it also offered entrepreneurship and vocational programmes for non-farming residents. "In the health sector, two outreach centers under Dhulikhel Hospital were newly constructed and equipped, while training was provided to local health workers and students."

By mobilising community-led committees, the project fostered not only improved income and health outcomes but also a stronger sense of ownership and social cohesion, it adds

Country Director of KOICA Nepal Office Kong Mooheon, during the concluding ceremony, highlighted the strength of linking agriculture and health to enhance community resilience

Likewise, Dr Biraj Man Karmacharya from Dhulikhel Hospital thanked the team for the efforts on implementing the project and shared that the successful result is clearly visible on the sites with the demand on its continuation and expansion. He also requested for the continuity of programme.

Dr Yoon Haejin, Project Leader from KDS shared his meaningful memories of the project. Despite the challenges posed by Covid-19, the project achieved successful and positive outcomes through the dedicated efforts of the project staff, the strong support of local governments and ward leaders, and the sincere participation of communities and farmers. He deeply appreciates all contributions and believes that the results will be sustained through continued collaboration.

The Government of the Republic of Korea has been supporting the Government of Nepal through KOICA in various areas of health, vocational training, rural development and IT since 1991. By 2024, total amount of KOICA’s support surpassed $200. Nepal’s designation as a Core Partnership Country by the Government of the Republic of Korea for 15 consecutive years highlights the strong bilateral relationship and commitment to Nepal’s development goals.

KOICA Nepal Office holds pre-departure orientation for health ministry officials

KOICA Nepal Office conducted a pre-departure orientation programme for 15 government officials from the ministry of Health and Population today, at KOICA Nepal Office.

The orientation programme was organised under KOICA Capacity Improvement and Advancement for tomorrow (CIAT, a Fellowship Programme), which supports ministry of Health and Population on 'Capacity Building on Strengthening Health Emergency Coordination and Operation System in Nepal'.

This new CIAT multiyear programme, starting from 2024 and continue till 2026, aims at training 45 government officials by 2026 from the ministry of Health and Population in Health Emergency Coordination and Operations System of Nepal, according to a press note issued by the KOICA Office.

"The capacity building training programme is designed to enhance Nepal's health policy and system based on Korea's experiences," it claims, adding that the programme will take place in Korea from July 21 to August 3 and the officials will be departing to South Korea on July 20 (Saturday).

The orientation programme aimed to ensure that the government officials are well-prepared for the cultural and societal differences they may encounter in South Korea. It equipped them with knowledge about Korean culture, intercultural communication skills, and academic expectations. 

Country Director of KOICA Nepal Office Mooheon Kong, on the occasion, emphasised the importance of implementing and disseminating the knowledge gained in Korea to improve and strengthen the health services in Nepal.

Simultaneously in June 2024, 15 government officials from the ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, including CTEVT, participated in a similar training programme titled 'Capacity Building of TVET Instructors on E-learning in Nepal'. Health, Education, Agriculture, Governance, Environment are few important sectors that KOICA focuses on implementing this CIAT programme.

Since 1991, the KOICA fellowship programme has supported over 2600 Nepali government officers through various programmes, including Country Specific Programmes, Multi Country Programmes, and Scholarship programmes.

KOICA remains committed to supporting human resource development in Nepal via these kinds of programms, the press note adds.

World Bank approves $100 million to strengthen healthcare system

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors – on Friday – approved $100 million in financing for the Nepal Quality Health Systems Programme operation, 

The Programme will improve the quality of healthcare services and increase the coverage of health insurance, and enhance the capacity of the healthcare system to prepare for and respond to health emergencies in Koshi and Gandaki provinces, according to a press note issued by the World Bank, Kathmandu Office.

“By prioritising and investing in health, Nepal can reap multiple benefits including improved health outcomes, increased productivity, and economic growth,” World Bank country director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka Faris Hadad-Zervos said, adding that the World Bank supports Nepal’s goal to put quality at the core of health system policy and planning and service delivery.

The Programme will be implemented by the Ministry of Health and Population with the coordination of the Health Insurance Board at the federal level, and provincial and local governments in Koshi and Gandaki provinces to help achieve the strategic objectives of Nepal’s Health Sector Strategic Plan, 2022-2030. “These include enhancing efficiency and responsiveness of the health system, promoting sustainable financing and social protection in health, and promoting equitable access to quality health services,” the press note reads.

“The Programme supports the implementation of federalism and builds on Nepal’s first Programme for Results in the health sector to address the challenges of access and quality and to build a resilient public health sector,” practice manager for Health, Nutrition and Population, South Asia Region Dr Feng Zhao said, adding that the results achieved under this Programme have the potential for scale-up to other provinces.

The financing for the Programme is complemented by a $3.84 million grant from the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (HEPR) Trust Fund. The HEPR Trust Fund supports eligible countries and territories to improve their capacities to prepare, prevent, respond, and mitigate the impact of epidemics on populations.

India to assist Nepal construct three projects

Indian government is helping Nepal construct three more projects.

The Embassy of India and Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration today signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) for undertaking three High Impact Development Projects (HICDP) projects in Nepal under the grant assistance of government of India, one each in Education, Health Care and Drinking Water Sectors, according to a press note issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.

These three projects, construction of Shree Janata Belaka Secondary School Building in Udayapur District; construction of Ngonga Thenchowk Chholing Meditation Centre in Soulukhumbu Distirct and construction of Lisnekhola Tikasung Dangchet Jharlang Water Supply Project in Dhading District is estimated to cost of Rs 101.79 million, the press note reads, adding that the construction of these projects will provide better education facilities, better health care facilities and safe drinking water facilities for the local community and improve the quality of life for people in Nepal.

Since 2003, India has taken up over 532 HICDPs in Nepal and has completed 476 projects in the areas of health, education, drinking water, connectivity, sanitation and creation of other public utilities across all seven provinces of Nepal at the grassroots level.

As close neighbours, India and Nepal share wide-ranging and multi-sectoral cooperation. “The implementation of these projects reflects the continued support of the India in bolstering the efforts of Nepal in uplifting its people, adds the press note.

Japan hands over health training center and emergency shelter

 Japan has handed over a newly-built Health Training Centre and Emergency Shelter to the Nona Koirala Smriti Pratisthan in Biratnagar, Morang district today.

The new building was built with grant assistance of $107,860 under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) of the Japanese Government, according to a press note issued by the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu.

On the occasion, ambassador of Japan to Nepal Kikuta Yutaka sent a message congratulating everyone, who was involved in the project. Appreciating all who worked together with the Embassy to complete the project, he hoped that the health training centre and shelter would become a community asset and serve the local people which is all the more important in the Covid-19 pandemic.

Biratnagar lies in a flood prone area but lacks adequate emergency shelter facilities, causing many people to suffer from infectious diseases. The newly-built facility is also expected to contribute towards improving local knowledge of health and sanitation and serve as a shelter during floods and other calamities.

The Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu said that it is confident the project will further strengthen the bilateral relations between Japan and Nepal, deepen the people-to-people friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

GGP that was established to implement projects directly benefiting the people at grassroots level for the socio-economic development of the country, and over 200 projects have been implemented in Nepal since 1991.

Impact of Covid-19 on poor mental health in children and young people 'tip of the iceberg' : UNICEF

 Children and young people could feel the impact of Covid-19 on their mental health and well-being for many years to come, UNICEF warned in its flagship report today.

According to 'The State of the World’s Children 2021; On My Mind: promoting, protecting and caring for children’s mental health', UNICEF’s most comprehensive look at the mental health of children, adolescents and caregivers in the 21st century, even before Covid-19, children and young people carried the burden of mental health conditions without significant investment in addressing them.

According to the latest available estimates, more than 1 in 7 adolescents aged between 10 and 19 is estimated to live with a diagnosed mental disorder globally. Almost 46,000 adolescents die from suicide each year, among the top five causes of death for their age group. Meanwhile, wide gaps persist between mental health needs and mental health funding. The report finds that about 2 per cent of government health budgets are allocated to mental health spending globally, the report reads.

"It has been a long, long 18 months for all of us – especially children," said UNICEF executive director Henrietta Fore. "With nationwide lockdowns and pandemic-related movement restrictions, children have spent indelible years of their lives away from family, friends, classrooms, play – key elements of childhood itself,” Fore said, adding that the impact is significant, and it is just the tip of the iceberg. "Even before the pandemic, far too many children were burdened under the weight of unaddressed mental health issues."

Too little investment is being made by governments to address these critical needs, and not enough importance is being placed on the relationship between mental health and future life outcomes, Fore added.

Indeed, the pandemic has taken its toll. According to early findings from an international survey of children and adults in 21 countries conducted by UNICEF and Gallup – which is previewed in The State of the World’s Children 2021 – a median of 1 in 5 young people aged 15–24 surveyed said they often feel depressed or have little interest in doing things.

As Covid-19 heads into its third year, the impact on children and young people’s mental health and well-being continues to weigh heavily. According to the latest available data from UNICEF, globally, at least 1 in 7 children has been directly affected by lockdowns, while more than 1.6 billion children have suffered some loss of education. The disruption to routines, education, recreation, as well as concern for family income and health, is leaving many young people feeling afraid, angry, and concerned for their future. For example, an online survey in China in early 2020, cited in The State of the World’s Children, indicated that around a third of respondents reported feeling scared or anxious. Mental- health features as one of the top three concerns of children adolescent according to community respondents in Nepal.

Diagnosed mental disorders, including ADHD, anxiety, autism, bipolar disorder, conduct disorder, depression, eating disorders, intellectual disability, and schizophrenia, can significantly harm children and young people’s health, education, life outcomes, and earning capacity, the report reads.

While the impact on children’s lives is incalculable, a new analysis by the London School of Economics in the report indicates that lost contribution to economies due to mental disorders that lead to disability or death among young people is estimated at nearly $390 billion a year.

The report notes that a mix of genetics, experience and environmental factors from the earliest days, including parenting, schooling, quality of relationships, exposure to violence or abuse, discrimination, poverty, humanitarian crises, and health emergencies such as Covid-19, all shape and effect children’s mental health throughout their lifetime.

In Nepal 20 per cent of suicide ideation calls to psychological helplines are correlated with violence including GBV and 25 per cent with economic deprivation.

While protective factors, such as loving caregivers, safe school environments, and positive peer relationships can help reduce the risk of mental disorders, the report warns that significant barriers, including stigma and lack of funding, are preventing too many children from experiencing positive mental health or accessing the support they need.

The mental health of caregivers is also a critical protective factor for children and adolescents. Supporting parents and caregivers to identify stressors, seek help will enhance their capacity to care for children when they need it the most.

The State of the World’s Children 2021 calls on governments, and public and private sector partners, to commit, communicate and act to promote mental health for all children, adolescents and caregivers, protect those in need of help, and care for the most vulnerable, including: 

    • Urgent investment in gender-sensitive child and adolescent mental health across sectors, not just in health, to support a whole-of-society approach to prevention, promotion and care, to ensure availability and accessibility of basic quality mental health and psychosocial support services for all and specifically for vulnerable children and parents.

    • Integrating and scaling up evidence-based interventions across health, education and social protection and child protection sectors - including parenting programmes that promote responsive, nurturing caregiving and support parent and caregiver mental health; and ensuring schools support mental health through quality services and positive relationships.

    • Breaking the silence surrounding mental illness, through addressing stigma and promoting better understanding of mental health and taking seriously the experiences of children and young people.

    • Carry out studies to determine the needs of the most vulnerable groups with mental health problems and prioritize them in the government’s plans, policies and programs.

"Mental health is a part of physical health - we cannot afford to continue to view it as otherwise,” Fore said, adding that for far too long, in rich and poor countries alike, too little understanding and too little investment in a critical element of maximizing every child’s potential has been seen. "This needs to change."

Government, World Bank sign additional financing agreements of $50 million each to strengthen school and health sectors

The government and the World Bank (WB) signed two separate additional financing agreements of $50 million each today to support the implementation of the government’s flagship School Sector Development Programme (SSDP) in the education sector and public management reforms in the health sector.

The agreements were signed by finance secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini on behalf of the government and World Bank country director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka Faris Hadad-Zervos.

"Strengthening Nepal’s education and health systems is an essential element of building back better from the pandemic,” finance secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini said, adding that the reform agenda championed by the Nepal Health Sector Programme for Results is critical to Nepal’s vision of an efficient, effective, transparent and accountable health system, and together with the School Sector Development Programme, provides a catalyst for improved human capital development enabling Nepal to compete strongly post-Covid.

The Additional Financing to the School Sector Development Programme will help reduce dropouts and mitigate learning losses by supporting pro-poor targeted scholarships, pro-science scholarships, and catch-up programmes. It will lay the foundation for the next school sector successor programme in two areas – assessment and data systems, and help create the fiscal space to fill the gap in financing the government’s flagship programme.

The Additional Financing for Nepal Health Sector Management Reform Programme for Results will support the original Nepal Health Sector Management Reform Programme for Results implemented under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and Population. "It spearheads reforms in public procurement, financial management, data for decision making and citizen engagement for greater accountability in the health sector," a press note issued by the World Bank today reads.

"These engagements contribute to Nepal’s green, resilient, and inclusive development by making the country’s education and health systems more inclusive and resilient to future shocks, which will in turn help to accelerate human capital development," World Bank country director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka Faris Hadad-Zervos said, adding that he is very hopeful that that the additional financing will help propel Nepal closer to its goal of universal health coverage, and ensure equitable access and improve the quality of education and learning outcomes for children and young people in Nepal.

Spain to send ventilators, oxygen concentrators to Nepal

Spain is sending a consignment of health materials for Nepal in a chartered flight tomorrow.

"The consignment includes ventilators, oxygen concentrators and PPEs," according to a press note issued by the Foreign Ministry.  

Director of the Spanish agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) Magdy Martinez Soliman is also visiting Nepal to hand over the Spanish cooperation to Nepal, the press note adds.

Today foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali held a telephone conversation with Minister for External Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain Arancha Gonzalez Laya, when they discussed matters relating to various aspects of Nepal-Spain relations and cooperation.

Thanking the government of Spain, Gyawali  said that the support received from Spain will be valuable at a time when Nepal is battling the surge of new variants of Covid-19.

Gonzalez Laya, while thanking Nepal for facilitating repatriation of stranded Spanish nationals, assured of continued cooperation from Spain at the bilateral level as well as through the EU and other channels, the press note reads.

Some 22 districts are extremely hit by Covid-19

Of the total 77 districts in the country, some 22 districts are marked as extremely hit based on the number of new Covid-19 infections, according to a press note issued by the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP).

The districts in the southern plains are severely hit by the new variant of the deadly coronavirus, the press note reads, adding that all three districts in the Valley including Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur, and Tarai districts including Morang, Jhapa, Parsa, Bara, Dhanusha, Chitwan, Dang, Banke, Rupandehi, Bardiya, Kapilvastu, Kailali and Kanchanpur are also categorised as the extremely-affected districts. "Few The hill districts including Makwanpur, Palpa and Kaski are also effected by the second wave of Covid-19."

The trend of new infections is at an alarming rate which could not be addressed by the health system.

The ministry has also aurged people to abide by public health protocol like wearing face masks, maintaining physical distance, avoiding crowds and washing hands with soap and water frequently as precautionary measure.

Nepal ranks 114 in 2020 Prosperity Index

Of the total 167 countries, Nepal ranks 114th – with 50.4 score – in the overall Prosperity Index rankings of this year.

Since 2010, Nepal has moved up the rankings table by 15 places, and one spot up compared to last year's ranking, according to the Global Prosperity Index 2020 published by London-based Legatum Institute. “Nepal performs most strongly in Personal Freedom and Safety & Security but is weakest in Natural Environment.”

Though, the biggest improvement compared to a decade ago came in Safety and Security has improved Nepal's ranking by one spot, some of the pillars including Natural Environment (with 45.97 score and at 145th position), market access and infrastructure (with 35.54 score and at 134th position) and living condition (51.08 score and at 128th position) are the poor performers.

The indicators used in the Index are organised into 12 pillars, which are grouped into three domains essential to prosperity including Inclusive Societies – Safety and Security, Personal Freedom, Governance, and Social Capital – Open Economies which has Investment Environment, Enterprise Conditions, Market Access and Infrastructure, and Economic Quality; and finally Empowered People that includes Living Conditions, Health, Education, and Natural Environment. “Using the Prosperity Index framework, nations around the world can assess their strengths and weaknesses in order to determine the economic and strategic choices that need to be made to drive greater levels of prosperity,” a press note from the London-based Legatum Institute reads. 

The Legatum Prosperity Index analyses the performance of 167 nations across 66 policy-focused elements, measured by almost 300 country-level indicators, it reads, adding that the Index enables to construct a thoroughly comprehensive picture of prosperity, across its institutional, economic, and social dimensions. “It is the ambition that leaders around the world will use the Index to help set their agendas for growth and development, and that it will enable others to hold them to account.”

Last year, Nepal ranked 115 and was the 22nd poorest out of the 29 countries in Asia-Pacific ranking, according to the Legatum Institute’s 2019 Prosperity Index. 

Government not to bear cost of Covid-19 treatment, PCR testing

 Almost after 6 months, the government has decided not to bear the cost of treatment and PCR testing of Covid-19 patients from today.

A cabinet meeting recently decided to bear only the cost of treatment and PCR testing of frontline workers including differently-abled, single women, senior citizens, security personnel, and sanitization workers, according to the Health Ministry. “They will also be tested only after showing Covid-19 symptoms.”

In a regular virtual press meeting today, spokesperson for the Health Ministry Dr Jageshwar Gautam confirmed that the decision will be effective – in all the government, non-governmental hospitals and laboratories – from today.

Ordinary citizens – other than the frontline workers – and other designated groups have to now onwards bear the cost of Covid-19 treatment and PCR tests on their own, which is against the socialism-oriented Constitution that guarantees the fundamental rights including health and education. However, the incumbent government is hell bent on distorting the Constitutional supremacy.

Likewise, the government has also asked the people to manage the funeral rites of their family members, who die of Covid-19 in home isolation. Earlier, the Nepalese Army has been managing the funeral.

First the government refused to take admission to the non-symptomatic patients in the hospital, and then not charging them for PCR and leaving them to manage the dead bodies.

Amending the ‘Dead Body Management of Covid-19 Cases Guideline’, the government has expressed its inability to manage the funerals of the people dying of Covid-19 in home isolation. The government decision is going to create additional troubles for the people at a time when the hospitals are almost full with patients of the coronavirus and the ambulance and hearse operators are refusing to carry Covid-19 cases.

According to the new rule, the family members need to inform the local administration and the police, if the infected individuals die at home. The funeral rites have to be carried out by maintaining physical distance but old people aged above 60 years and children are barred from participating in the rituals. “The family members themselves have to manage a vehicle to carry the dead body.”

The persons carrying the dead body need to wear gloves, surgical masks, boots, spectacles and full sleeve dress, the new rule reads, adding that the family members have to wrap the body in cloth and transfer it as soon as possible to the mortuary area.

Urgent action needed to address growing mental health issue in Nepal

 On World Mental Health Day, the United Nations in Nepal joins everyone, including the government and development partners, civil society, communities and families, to urgently strengthen actions to mitigate the deteriorating mental health situation among the Nepali population.

As Nepal continues to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, suicides among adolescent girls, already an issue of concern, have increased by almost 40 per cent during the first four months of nationwide lockdown compared to the previous year, according to the Nepal Police. The data suggests that there are other gender related issues aggravating the mental health of adolescent girls. It highlights the urgency required for everyone to act before girls and boys in Nepal turn their helplessness into self-harm, read a press note issued by the UN.

There have been a number of initiatives taken by the Health Ministry and the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens in recent years. The UN also welcomes the recent message from Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who expressed concerns regarding the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on mental health and called for mass awareness on mental health and psychosocial wellbeing for the general public, the press note reads, adding that this urgent call for action comes at time where there are multiple levels of needs, from awareness raising to strategic and rapid investments in specialised and non-specialised mental health care. “According to the July 2020 findings of UNICEF Child and Family Tracker household survey, some 49 per cent of families reported an increase in stress levels since the lockdown, mainly related to concerns about their capacity to support their children.”

At the same time, the mental health of the most vulnerable in the population is especially of concern as they are particularly susceptible to uncertainty, isolation and stress.

The UN stands by the government and all relevant stakeholders as concerted efforts are made to increase the investment in mental health promotion, prevention of disorders, treatment and rehabilitation at the federal, provincial and local levels, so that mental health and psychosocial services become easily available and accessible for all. Building a cohesive, thriving post-Covid 19 Nepal requires all of us, policy makers, development partners, health professionals and families to make stronger commitments and investments into the well-being of our communities, the press note reads. “We must also jointly address the stigma around mental health and seeking mental health services.”

A nationwide survey conducted by the Nepal Health Research Council in 2019 highlighted that 10 per cent of adult participants had a mental illness during their lifetime. These mental health conditions frequently first appear during adolescence but often also go unrecognised and untreated with subsequent effects on adult mental health, social functioning and parenting.

According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report published in 2017, most children with mental health conditions suffer without any professional help. They impact learning outcomes and the quality of social interactions, all central to healthy societal growth.

Government claims Covid-19 risk is beyond prediction

 Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Gyawali – who is also the spokesperson of the government – while addressing a regular press briefing today – said that the risk of novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the country is beyond the prediction of the government.

Since the daily count of new Covid-19 cases is on the sharp rise in the recent week, he said that it is too early to say how long this situation would last as infection rate is escalating at an alarming rate. “At this hour of health crisis, we all should exercise high levels of precaution against this global pandemic,” he said, adding that the restriction imposed on various sectors has been eased not because of low risk of this viral disease, but as an attempt to normalise and balance daily life of people. “As major festivals are just around the corner, we need to be more careful to avoid further spread of this disease.”

The country has seen 120 days lockdown from March 24, and again prohibitory order for another three weeks, bleeding the economy.

Urging the house owners and business enterprises not to force the tenants and employees to undergo PCR tests to diagnose the Covid-19 disease, Gyawali said that it is against the test guidelines formulated by the government.

By today, as many as 74,745 cases linked to the coronavirus have been confirmed in Nepal since the first case was reported on January 24. According to the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), a total of 1,351 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours alone. The ministry has recommended the government to impose lockdown if the active coronavirus cases increases beyond 25,000. As of today there are some 20,000 active cases. Kathmandu alone reported some 817 new cases in the past 24 hours alone, taking the total case tally to 22,124.

Countries in WHO South-East Asia region sign declaration to fight Covid-19

 All member countries of WHO South-East Asia Region today resolved to collectively fight Covid-19 and strengthen the Region’s response with better equipped health systems to deliver essential health services during the pandemic.

"The spread of Covid-19 has impacted almost every community, overwhelmed health systems and disrupted economies and livelihoods with effects reaching far beyond the health sector,” WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, adding that it has also disproportionately impacted the most vulnerable. “WHO recently surveyed countries to understand better the priorities in the South East Asia region.” 

At the top of the agenda is maintaining essential health services. Signing the Declaration on ‘Collective Response to Covid-19’ along with ministers of Health and representatives of member countries, regional director of WHO South-East Asia Region Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, said that people’s ordinary health needs do not disappear during such extraordinary events. “Health security is not only about building capacity to prevent, prepare for and respond to acute events,” she said, adding that it must also be about building capacity to maintain essential health services for the duration of response and into the recovery.”

The Declaration was signed at the end of a ministerial round table on the second and last day of the Seventy-third Regional Committee Session, hosted by Thailand, and held virtually for the first time ever due to Covid-19 pandemic.

During the roundtable, all member countries shared their various Covid-19 response measures and efforts being made to maintain essential health services and restore those impacted due to the pandemic.

All countries agreed to the importance of universal health coverage and primary health care as a safety net for people to access quality health services - both Covid-19 and other essential services, including the most vulnerable population.  

The Declaration calls for efforts to ensure countries sustain essential health services and public health programs during public health emergencies and use the current pandemic as an opportunity to build back their health systems to be better.

The member countries agreed to allocation of adequate budgets to ensure uninterrupted services during and beyond the pandemic, while prioritising health of the people, a press note issued by the WHO reads. “Countries resolved to strengthen health information systems by leveraging digital technologies which capture timely reporting of outbreaks and sharing information for policy decision.”

With health workers playing a crucial role in the pandemic, member countries pledged to ensure occupational health, safety and wellbeing of health professionals and other related workers.

Speaking to health ministers of the 11 member states Dr Khetrapal Singh said, “Continued efforts should be made to keep health workers safe from infection and violence and to provide mental health and psychosocial support.”

The Declaration also calls for strengthening safety of patients and the people through adequate public health and social measures and access to quality personal protective devices; and strengthening occupational and environmental safety through medical waste management systems and making biomedical and systems research stronger, was also agreed upon.

The member countries agreed to continuing and expanding multi-sectoral collaboration; strengthening regional collaboration for scaling up capacities for preparedness, surveillance and rapid response, field epidemiology training, supply chain management of medicines and medical supplies, and regional stockpiling of essential health resources. They also resolved to identify gaps and strengthen core capacities as required by the International Health Regulations 2005.

All countries in the region agreed to fully engage in global discussion on equitable allocation of vaccines, medicines and diagnostics for Covid-19.

“All people, all sectors, all countries and all partners must come together to strengthen the response and build a recovery and future that is more health secure, and in which all people’s health needs are met as a precondition to achieving the sustainable development to which we strive,” added Dr Khetrapal Singh.

Health Ministry designates 14 swab collection centres in Kathmandu

After a sharp rise in new coronavirus cases, the Ministry of Health and Population today announced 14 more swab collection centres – to facilitate extensive testing of coronavirus infection – in Kathmandu valley.
The ministry has designated 14 hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley to collect specimens, nasal and throat swabs for polymerase chain reaction tests, the press note confirmed, urging the public to visit these swab collection centres from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm any day, if they have come in contact with Covid-19 infected person or recently visited Covid-19 hotspots.
Issuing a press note the ministry has also asked the people that they can visit previously established coronavirus-related health facilities. “People can visit fourteen hospitals including Patan Hospital, Civil Hospital, Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Birendra Hospital, Police Hospital, Bhaktapur Hospital, KMC Hospital, Star Hospital, Bir Hospital, Armed Police Force Hospital, Hams Hospital and Nepal-Korea Friendship Hospital,” the ministry added.
The ministry has also requested public to mandatorily follow Covid-19 health guidelines, stay inside unless in case of emergency, not crowd, and observe festivals at their homes owing to the escalating cases of transmission within Kathmandu Valley and throughout the country.
The ministry also claimed that authorities are speeding the process of contact tracing of suspicious and infected persons.
According to joint-spokesperson at the ministry Dr Sameer Kumar Adhikari, there will be no charges for the tests and swab collection centers. “The ministry had recently updated the testing guidelines to increase the number of tests,” he said.

List of the swab collection centres:
Patan Hospital
Bhaktapur Hospital
Civil Hospital
Kathmandu Medical College (KMC)
TU Teaching Hospital
Bir Hospital
Teku Hospital
APF Hospital
Birendra Hospital
Prasuti Griha (Maternity Hospital)
Star Hospital
Hams Hospital
Nepal Police Hospital
Nepal Korea Friendship Hospital

Government urges children below 12 and elderly above 60 not to go out of home

Health Ministry has requested children below 12 and elderly above 60 years of age not to come out of houses due to growing risk of novel coronavirus in recent days.
The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) spokesperson Dr Jageshwar Gautam – speaking during a regular press briefing today – said that the government has requested the citizens to be careful due to rising number of Covid-19 cases throughout the country.
“A lot of people over 60 years of age are already suffering from diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure,” he said, adding that they are likely to succumb to Covid-19, if they get exposed to the coronavirus. “Likewise, children below 12 rarely maintain physical distance and wear masks increasing the risk of the Covid-19 infection.”
According to the ministry, the coronavirus infection rate has increased by 0.8 per cent after the lifting of the lockdown on July 21. The number of deaths, too, has increased sharply in recent weeks. Some of the major cities like Biratnagar, Birgunj, Jhapa, Janakpur are becoming hotspot for the coronavirus, whereas Kathmandu Valley is also under the threat. Biratnagar, Birgunj, Rajbiraj, Jhapa, Janakpur, Bara and several other cities in districts bordering India – after new cases increased at a rapid rate since the lifting of the lockdown – re-imposed lockdown.
“Kathmandu Valley could be a new hotspot for the coronavirus, as it is densely populated, crowds are growing in public places and public movement is not regulated,” health experts said, adding that the number of people entering Kathmandu Valley from hard-hit areas is growing every day.
Thus, they have also recommended another lockdown in Kathmandu Valley as the risk of coronavirus spread has risen several fold since the end of nation-wide lockdown.
As thousands have been entering the Valley every day from across the country, as well as from India, the number of people testing positive among them is also growing. “It cannot be ruled out another lockdown in the Valley, if the number of cases kept rising at the current rate,” an official at the Covid-19 Crisis Management Center (CCMC) said, adding that the coronavirus infection rate in the Valley will go out of control, if restrictions are not re-imposed.
The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division has also recommended the Health Ministry to impose another lockdown in the Valley. “It is very difficult to contact tracing,” the department officials said, adding that they don’t know how many people the infected-ones have met and which public vehicles they rode. The division has also reported the situation in the Valley to the Health Ministry
“There must be strict restrictions on people from entering Kathmandu Valley,” joint-spokesperson for the Health Ministry Dr Samir Adhikari said, adding that a surveillance study – based on the swabs of 10,000 people, who entered the Valley last week, by the Health Ministry showed that 0.7 per cent of the people coming into the Valley are infected with the coronavirus. “All samples are yet to be tested but 0.7 per cent of the samples tested so far have come positive, which is alarming.”
The Health Ministry has also recommended re-imposing the odd-even rule for public as well as private vehicles, like before the lockdown that ended on July 21, the government had allowed the movement of private vehicles under the odd-even rule.

Hypertension at young age due to drinking in teen years

Even if it’s just on every weekend, binge drinking during teenage years may consequently lead to early onset of hypertension.
An observation-based research done by eminent cardiologist vice chair – Interventional cardiology at Medanta the Medicity in Gurugram (Gurgaon) Dr Rajneesh Kapoor enrolled and analysed 475 hypertensive patients. Among the 1670 patients, who visited Dr Rajneesh Kapoor following cardiac ailment, these were the ones who were under 40 years of age including both men and women.
The study reveals that 171 patients out of 475 (36 per cent) did indulged in binge drinking, ranging from once a week to thrice a week. Some 94 per cent of these patients did it for minimum 4 years starting 18 years onwards whereas just a few did binge then stopped within a time period of one year.
Dr Rajneesh Kapoor tells that the study finding demonstrates notable prevalence of hypertension (16 per cent) in less than 40 years population. It also tells us about additional lifestyle factors during early life years that can possibly lead to early onset of non communicable disease.
Further he says that Binge drinking, which is consuming 5 or more drinks in about 2 hours, raises blood pressure levels immediately. This was shown in a study done by Canadian researchers and published in journal of adolescent health. In this study it was found that the blood pressure of young adults aged 20 to 24, who binge drink was significantly higher than non-binge drinkers. “Our study links to the possibility that elevated blood pressure caused by binge drinking can lead to persistent high blood pressure or hypertension later in life,” Kapoor said.
Raising awareness on high alcohol consumption and risk of heart disease, Dr Rajneesh Kapoor tells that “High blood pressure is dangerous because it causes strain on the vessels carrying blood around the body.”
This can cause vessels to become clogged up or to weaken, which can cause damage to the heart or brain, he said, adding that high blood pressure also increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and kidney damage and eye problems. “Poor diet, salt intake, and obesity are predictors of high blood pressure.”
Since we know there is a link between higher blood pressure and the risk of developing chronic diseases, clinicians should ask young people about their alcohol consumption, he added.

Malaria on the decline in WHO South-East Asia Region: WHO

As WHO South-East Asia Region continues to register a steep decline in malaria incidence, the World Health Organisation (WHO) today reiterated accelerated concerted efforts by member countries to achieve zero malaria by 2030.
“There is a strong commitment to eliminate malaria in the Region, reflected in the commendable intense efforts and progress being made by member countries,” said regional director WHO South-East Asia Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh. “This momentum needs to be sustained and further accelerated to prevent, rapidly detect and treat malaria, to benefit everyone, everywhere.”
As per the World Malaria Report released today, in 2018 WHO South-East Asia Region had an estimated 8 million cases and 11 600 malaria deaths; 69 per cent and 70 per cent less as compared with 2010. This is the largest decline among all six WHO regions.
Two countries in the Region – Maldives and Sri Lanka – have been certified malaria free, and two more, Timor-Leste and Bhutan, are close to elimination target.
Despite being the highest burden country of the region, India reduced its reported cases by half as compared with 2017. Bangladesh and Thailand also reported substantial decline in reported cases.
All countries in the Region are on target to achieve a more than 40 per cent reduction in case incidence by 2020, and all have strategic plans for malaria elimination by 2030.
However, despite progress, an estimated 1.61 billion people in the region continue to remain at risk of malaria with the disease being endemic in 9 countries.
“We need to intensify efforts, particularly at the sub-national and grassroots levels, with multi-sectoral collaboration, to strengthen surveillance and reach the most vulnerable and marginalised communities,” the regional director said, adding that better implementation of treatment regimens, to effectively manage drug resistance and relapsing disease, needs to be focused upon. “We also need to further strengthen cross-border collaboration as malaria free countries would always remain at risk of importation from neighboring endemic countries.”
Joint efforts to rapidly detect and respond to importations and prevent and protect vulnerable communities along the borders is vital in our drive to achieve zero malaria and protect everyone everywhere, she said.
The WHO South-East Asia region, home to one-fourth of the world’s population, has been prioritising malaria elimination. Member countries adopted a ‘Ministerial Declaration on Accelerating and Sustaining Malaria Elimination in the South-East Asia Region’ in November 2017, reaffirming their commitment and emphasizing the need for new funding and technologies to keep up the momentum to end malaria by 2030.
This was followed by a Call to Action adopted by countries of Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) May 2018. The Six GMS member countries, two from WHO South East Asia Region – Myanmar and Thailand –  have stepped up collaboration to address resistance of malaria parasites to antimalarial drugs, including artemisinin, by eliminating malaria altogether from the Mekong by 2030.
The progress and challenges in malaria elimination are periodically reviewed by member countries. In September 2018, all member countries renewed their commitment and once again resolved to end the scourge of this life-threatening disease.

Intensify action to eliminate violence against women

Violence against women is a serious threat to women’s health and well-being. Globally, an estimated 35.6 per cent of all women experience physical and/or sexual intimate partner or non-partner violence in their lifetime.
In the WHO South-East Asia Region, the figure is almost five percentage points higher, at 40.2 per cent of all women. Violence against women can significantly impact mental health, leading to anxiety disorders, depression, substance abuse and suicide. All forms of violence against women, including rape, can cause adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes such as sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy, low birth weight and pre maturity, a press note of the World Health Organisation (WHO) reads.
The health sector has a key role in responding to violence against women and informing the quest to eliminate it. Health workers are likely to be the first professional contact of survivors of physical and/or sexual intimate partner or non-partner violence. Ensuring appropriate post-violence care is accessible to all women and girls – including adolescents – is an important part of achieving universal health coverage, which is one of the Region’s eight Flagship Priorities. WHO is working with member states in the region to fully implement WHO’s global plan on addressing interpersonal violence, in particular against women and girls. WHO is also supporting member states to make full use of the WHO-co-developed RESPECT women framework for preventing violence against women, which several UN agencies and development partners launched earlier this year, the press note reads.
As a first step, health systems should adopt standard, gender-sensitive guidelines and protocols on the provision of post-violence care. All health facilities and health workers should have the capacity to implement them. Services for injuries and sexual and reproductive health are crucial, as is mental health support. WHO’s clinical guidelines on responding to intimate partner violence and sexual assault are an important resource for health workers at all levels. Region-wide, they should be fully leveraged, including as part of pre-service and in-service training.
It is imperative that health systems have clear procedures for identifying and documenting cases of violence against women. Surveillance of the problem is key to better understanding its prevalence, especially among different groups of women. That in turn informs cross-sector prevention efforts such as behavioral change campaigns, economic empowerment initiatives or legal and justice reforms. Research and evidence-building is crucial to designing locally appropriate, high-impact preventive interventions.
To advocate for intensified action at the highest levels, the health sector should join forces with other sectors that prevent or respond to violence against women. High-level political buy-in will help secure the resources needed to increase awareness and modify behaviors. It will also help empower women’s organisations working at the grassroots, in addition to building society-wide coalitions that can address the problem at its source.
In the wake of the Nairobi Summit earlier this month, which marked 25 years since the UN’s landmark International Conference on Population and Development, global momentum to empower women and advance gender equality is at a premium. The WHO South-East Asia Region is no exception. WHO reiterates its continued support to Member States to ensure health systems have the capacity to effectively respond to violence against women and can inform action to prevent it. Women’s rights are human rights. Together we must intensify action to eliminate violence against women and girls, the press note reads.

Adopt and implement high-impact interventions to secure future of antibiotics

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global crisis that threatens the future of our most precious drugs: antibiotics. Across the world, AMR kills an estimated 700 000 people annually, including 230 000 from multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, according to World Health Organisation (WHO). “By 2050, unless urgent action is taken, AMR is expected to kill 10 million annually,” it said, adding that antibiotic-resistant bacteria are responsible for a substantial proportion of the AMR burden. “The emergence and spread of resistant bacteria is accelerated by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in human and animal health.”
The WHO South-East Asia Region is taking decisive action to combat AMR, which since 2014 has been a flagship priority. All member states have developed a national multisectoral action plan to address AMR. They are now implementing them. Each member state has signed on to the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System, a key initiative that will advance AMR-related research. Region-wide, the Tripartite Collaboration on AMR, which comprises WHO, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), is addressing vulnerabilities in the human and animal health sectors, as well as in agriculture. Ensuring antibiotics are used rationally continues to be a core priority.
The Region’s progress must be sustained. It must also be accelerated – an outcome the new WHO-convened Regional Taskforce for AMR will help achieve. In pursuit of the Region’s Flagship Priority on AMR, as well as its quest to achieve universal health coverage, health authorities Region-wide should adopt and implement several high-impact interventions.