‘International bodies should support Nepal’s political transition’
Minister of Health and Population Girirajmani Pokharel has said the recently elected Constituent Assembly to draft a new constitution will complete Nepal’s transition from monarchy to republic, while calling upon all the international bodies that support the country’s health agenda, to support its political transition as well.
Addressing the 61st World Health Assembly in Geneva Tuesday, Minister Pokharel said that the Nepali people have given a clear mandate to the CPN (Maoists) to lead the government in alliance with all pro-republican parties to ensure a social-political transformation.
“Our Health Sector Reform initiatives for developing an equitable and high quality public health service system for the people, especially the poor and marginalized, is an integral component of that very socio-political transformation,” he clarified.
Stating that Nepal continues to make notable and steady progress towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), he said the country has also achieved an impressive reduction in maternal mortality thanks to public health initiatives over the last 16 years.
He, however, said that despite successes, Nepal continues to face many health challenges.
“We must engage in inter-sectoral collaborations to create socio-economic basis for health For example, if we are committed to address the root causes of malnutrition in Nepal, a country where the large majority of people depend on agriculture for their livelihood, land redistribution becomes an important public health agenda,” Minister Pokharel said.
He further said that as Nepal confronts the looming global food supply crisis, climate change and pandemic influenza, it understands that “MDGs could be achieved only through combining sound public health policy with progressive socio-economic policy”.
Minister Pokharel also informed that the country increased the proportion of the national budget for health to 7.2% and continues to advocate for 10% increase, while lauding World Health Organization including external development partners for the financial support and technical assistance they have provided.
Furthermore, on behalf of the Government of Nepal, Minister Pokharel expressed deep condolences and sympathies to the Government and people of Myanmar and China as well as to the families of the victims affected by devastating cyclone and earthquake
Meanwhile, Minister Pokharel met with his Norwegian counterpart Deputy Minister for Health and Care Services, Rigmor Aasrud on the sidelines of the 61st World Health Assembly in Geneva wherein he expressed gratitude to the Government of Norway for their continued support to the socio-economic development of Nepal and for placing Nepal as one of Norway’s priority countries for development cooperation. nepalnews.com ag May 21 08
