US grant for anti-trafficking initiatives

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KATHMANDU, April 15:The government of United States has provided a grant of US$ 200,000 to support the on-going anti-trafficking initiatives in Nepal, states a press release issued here today by the American Embassy in the capital today.

The fund is provided to the Asia Foundation and the local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to conduct awareness programmes for prevention, assist the survivors of trafficking and review existing legalization on trafficking and immigration to ensure that women’s rights to safe migration are protected.

According to the release, work will be carried out in five districts identified by the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare (MWCSW) as sources or transit points on trafficking victims. The programme aims to strengthen the district, municipal and village-level trafficking task forces in these districts.

The US government has been supporting anti-trafficking activities initiating in Nepal since 1999, both through the country office of USAID and through funding of multi-lateral organisations including ILO, UNIFEM and UNICEF.

Five die, three hurt in separate incidents

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KATHMANDU, April 15:Five people died and three others were injured seriously in separate incidents in different parts of the kingdom, police said.

A sixty-five year old woman found in an unconscious state at Sorhakhutte, Kathmandu two days ago died while undergoing treatment. Likewise, the driver of a truck, heading towards Chitwan from Kathmandu, and his helper were killed when the truck with the registration number plate Na.1 Kha 3089 met with an accident

In another incident Gyanendra Singh Mahat,70, of Bhaktapur,Balkot died consuming poison.Similarly, Maiya Shivabhaktini of Dharmasthali was found dead. She was rushed to hospital after found hanging.

Bikas Benju,31, of Bhaktapur was found in an unconscious state yesterday. He was undergoing treatment at Bhaktapur hospital. His condition is said to be critical. Sushila Thapa,25, of Kavrepalanchok who was residing in Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City was injured seriously after consuming poison.

Nepal Family Health Programme launched

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KATHMANDU, April 15:The Nepal Family Health Programme (NFHP), a five-year programme with a long-term goal of reducing fertility and under-5 years of age mortality was formally launched at a function here in the capital today.

The function was attended by representatives from the Department of Health Services, Ministry of Health, various INGOs and NGOs including donor agencies.

According to Dr Penny Dawson, Chief of Party NFHP, the activities under the programme will include increased use of quality family planning services and selected maternal and child health services at various health delivery system levels. To maximise the long-term impact, technical assistance and activities will be planned and implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, its divisions, centres, District Health Offices and District Public Health Offices.

Speaking at the function Joanna Hale, Director of USAID said that in the last 20 years child mortality in Nepal has reduced by half which was the best result in the whole of South Asian region. She also said that USAID is always ready to extend support for health and welfare programmes.

The programme expects continued increase in contraceptive prevalence rates, maintain 80 per cent coverage of National Vitamin A Programme campaigns and implementation of safe motherhood and neonatal health strategies among others.

Bill Musoke Resident Representative of UNFPA, Nepal and Steve McNab UNICEF Resident Representative to Nepal also extended support to the government for such health programmes. McNab also expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the country and said that insurgency and destruction of infrastructure is challenging mobility and works of health workers.

Health Secretary Mahendra Nath Aryal and Laxmi Raj Pathak, Representative of HMGs Health Service Department also spoke on the occasion.

The Cooperative Agreement for NFHP, the new five-year bilateral activity of United States Agency for International Development, Nepal (USAID/N), is awarded to John Snow Research and Training Institute, Inc (JSI) with co-management by the Engender Health, Johns Hopkins University/Centre for Communication Programme (JHU/CCP) and Johns Hopkins University Programme in International Education on Reproductive Health (JHPIEGO). Collaborating partners are the Nepal Fertility Care Center(NFCC), Nepali Technical Assistance Group (NTAG), Management Support Services (MASS), CARE, SCF/US, and ADRA. Cooperating partners include Peace Corps, World Education, Inc, Family Health International, and the District Health Strengthening Project.

‘Fake bombs’ raise hackles of security forces

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KATHMANDU, April 15:Bomb disposal squads of the Royal Nepal Army were rushed to eastern parts of the capital city early Monday to diffuse several "fake bombs" planted by suspected Maoist rebels. Most of the bombs, however, were fake ones.

Similar bombs were also found at Satdobato area of Lalitpur. The "fake bombs" were later diffused.

Sources at the Ward Police Office, Bouddha, said that the bombs were planted at main junctions and on the bridge along a busy highway apparently to terrorize the public ahead of the five-day nationwide strike that the underground Maoists have called on April 23-27.

"There were bombs at several junctions that were tied together with Maoist banners, but none was genuine," Madan Subba, Assistant Sub-Inspector at the police station told The Kathmandu Post late Monday.

According to him, early in the morning Monday, locals reported about the fake bombs that were placed by suspected Maoists rebels at Kumarigal, Tinchulee, Arubari, Ramhiti, Faika and on the Bagmati bridge in the vicinity of the stupa of Bouddhanath.

While the rest of the fake bombs were managed by policemen, the RNA’s bomb disposal squads had been called in at about five in the morning to dispose bombs planted on the Bagmati bridge near Jorpati, according to Subba.

Vehicular movement along the busy Sankhu-Kathmandu highway was disrupted for two hours due to the fake bombs. The road opened for traffic only after 7 a.m. after the RNA personnel diffused the "glass-and-wood object, which was not a bomb at all".

Nepali youths’ view on sex liberal

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KATHMANDU, April 15:Current estimates of people living with HIV/AIDS stand at 40,000 with the major transmission route being through unprotected sex (75-80 per cent). One third of the cases are believed to be among the young people under the age of 25 years.

Experts today have called on a joint approach to address "young people’s sexual health in Nepal and the way forward," at a two- day conference in the capital. The conference is being held with the fact that Nepalese young people are today adopting liberal views on sex and sexuality due to the globalization of information and communication.

Research findings suggest that a growing proportion of the young people in Nepal are engaging in pre- marital sexual intercourse and safer sex practices are often not adhered to, particularly among young people with multiple sex partners and those who have contact with commercial sex workers. "Sexually-transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS are now posing as a major public health threat," said Padam Prasad Simkhada of the Society for Local Integrated Development (SOLID) Nepal.

Also the traditional trend of early marriage in Nepal is seen decreasing with young people’s preference to delay marriage, leading to a rise in pre-marital sexual activity and risky sexual behavior. Researches have also shown that knowledge of contraceptives among young people in Nepal is very limited and its use negligible. Furthermore, the rates of unplanned pregnancies have been rising, leading to increases in the rise of teenage suicide and unsafe abortion.

Gokarna Bista, Member of Parliament and President of Democratic National Youth Forum said, "It is high time that we address the issue, without limitations and fear of the society". But till today such environment has not been created in which people can freely talk about sexual problems and policy-makers to interact freely, he added.

The two-day conference aims to bring together young people, researchers, teachers, practitioners, the media and the policy-makers together to facilitate the exchange of research and programme experiences and cooperation in the field of young people’s sexual health in Nepal.

The conference in particular will focus on the delivery of sexual health education in schools, out of schools and the provision of sexual health services at different levels. During the conference, experts in this field will be presenting various papers on sexual health for young people.

Medics urged to provide quality service

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KATHMANDU, April 15:Rajparishad Standing Committee Chairman Dr. Keshar Jung Rayamajhi today gave away gold medals and certificates to 24 students securing highest marks in MBBS, Nursing and various other disciplines of Post-Graduate level from the Institute of Medicine.

On the occasion, Dr. Rayamajhi called upon doctors to be committed to provide quality medical services to the people.

He expressed confidence that in the present context when the people of the rural areas are deprived of quality medical services, doctors receiving the medals and certificates should render all possible cooperation to them.

Professor Dr. Anjani Kumar Sharma presided over the programme.

Peace rallies held amid escalating violence

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DANG, April 15:The people of Dang district who have been affected by terrorist activities organised a peace rally and talk programme at Tulsipur wishing for peace on the occasion of the new year 2059 b.s., Sunday.

The peace rally which started from Trisiddheswori Temple turned into a talk programme after reaching the meeting hall of chamber of commerce and industry.

At the talk programme organised by Rotary Club of Tulsipur, senior journalist Narayan Prasad Sharma said that the whole civil society should try to find a solution by identifying the root cause of the current problem.

At the function chaired by president of the Rotary Club of Tulsipur Rajkumar Shrestha, registrar of Tulsipur Appellate Court Dilli Raj Acharya, president of Dang district FNJ Sushil Gautam, Chiranjibi Rijal of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, mayor of Tulsipur municipality Dhundiraj Lamichhane and others wished for peace and happiness during the new year-2059.

Meanwhile, it is reported from Tribhuwannagar that a peace march was organised here Sunday under the week-long programme of the Tribhuwannagar Jaycees.

At the programme organised after the march, Mayor Amar Bahadur Dangi said the need of the day is to move ahead in unison to safeguard the rights of the 1990 movement.

At the function presided over by Tribhuwannagar Jaycees President Tulsiram Rana, various speakers including Nepal Jaycees ex-Central Vice President Mukunda Prasad Ranjitkar, Devi Pokhrel of CPN-UML, ex-President of Dang Jaycees Nityananda Sharma, programme coordinator Shankar Gautam, convenor of the march Nawin Shrestha, NPU Dang President Ram Prasad Poudel also expressed their views.

Likewise, in Gulmi, a grand peace rally was taken out today under the joint auspices
of the national political parties of Gulmi district in the wake of escalating violence and looting in the country.

The rally commenced from Lakuni Manch denouncing the murder and violence.

Thousands of people from different walks of life took part in the rally.

At the conclusion of the rally, Nepali Congress Gulmi District President Rudramani Sharma Bhandari called all the political parties to unite and encounter the problem of terrorism faced by the country.

RPP Gulmi District President Bharat Bahadur Chand, Rastriya Jana Morcha District President Jeevan Lama and CPN-UML District Secretary Kamal Shrestha urged the CPN-Maoists to join the national mainstream of politics by laying down their arms.

Minister urges all to work against terrorism

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BHADRAPUR, April 15:Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Narendra Bikram Nembang has called on all the citizenry and civil society to work actively from their respective sides against the terrorists to end the existing situation of killings, violence and terrorism in the country.

Inaugurating the 28th district assembly of Nepal Red Cross Society Jhapa District Chapter here today, he said we should all be conscious and effortful towards boosting the morale of the security forces in the present circumstances when the country is passing through a serious crisis.

He called on the Red Cross to also carry out public awareness activities, in addition to providing drinking water, sanitation, health, primary health care services, disaster relief and other assistance for the benefit of people living in the nooks and corners of the country.

The Red Cross which is dedicated to humanitarian services has been able to win the hearts of the people because of its remarkable services the world over, he said, adding that the Red Cross should further its efforts towards promoting international understanding and guaranteeing human dignity.

Raj Parishad Member Mrs Dil Kumari Shrestha said the Red Cross has made significant contribution in the field of humanitarian services. She stressed that those involved in social service should work in an impartial manner.

Chief District Officer Pashupati Karmacharya asked the Red Cross to extend its services in the health sector also.

At the programme presided over by Nepal Red Cross Society Jhapa District President Bhakta Khawas, Chapter Minister Lokraj Dhakal presented the annual report and treasurer Badri Bahadur Karki an estimated budget of approximately Rs 6.8 million.

Representative of the Japanese Red Cross Yasuko Yosijawa, chairman of Shivagunj VDC Hari Bhetwal, Dangibari VDC Chairman Laxman Dhakal, Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) Jhapa District President Madhav Bidrohi and others also expressed their views at the programme.

Meanwhile, the closed-door session of the Red Cross district assembly approved the annual report and the annual budget. it also passed seven different resolutions.

Free artificial limb camp concludes

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Birgunj, April 15:Minister of State for Health Mohan Bahadur Basnet, speaking at the concluding day of the 14-day Free Artificial Limb Camp organised by the Rotary Club of Birgunj here, said that His Majesty’s Government had been providing health services to the people of the rural areas as far as its resources permits.

Lauding the contributions being made by the non-governmental organisations to the health sector, Mr. Basnet said that the government is ready to work with the non-governmental organisations in extending health services to everyone.

Mr. Basnet said that the private sector should play a major role in providing medical services to the people injured by the Maoist terrorists.

On the occasion Minister of State Basnet gave away letters of commendations to various persons and institutions extending cooperation for running the Free Artificial Limb Camp.

At the concluding function chaired by president of the Rotary Club of Birgunj Kishore Shaha, Parsa DDC Chairman Janardan Singh Chhetri, deputy mayor of Birgunj Sub-metropolis Krishna Murari Rauniyar, president of Mahavir Sewa Sadan of Kolkata J. M. Mehta and a host of other speakers threw light on various aspects of health.

Minister of State Basnet also initiated the free heart examination and medicine distribution programme jointly organised by Lions Club of Birgunj and Birgunj Sub-metropolis ward no. 4 with the cooperation of Hoechst Pharmaceuticals here.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Basnet said that His Majesty’s Government is committed to providing quality health services to the Nepalese people.

Mr. Basnet said that the non-governmental social organisations should provide continuity to its services of providing free medical examination and medicines to the rural people.

At the function chaired by president of the Lions Club of Birgunj Shambhu Sharan, Parsa DDC Chairman Janardan Singh Chhetri, deputy mayor of Birgunj Sub-metropolis Krishna Murari Rauniyar, chairman of ward no. 4 Pradip Subedi, Dr. R. P. Khetan and others had expressed their views.

Minister of State for Health Basnet also inspected the Birgunj sub-regional hospital and acquired information about its activities.

Mr Basnet said that a separate unit had been set up within the Health Ministry to improve the services of the hospital.

The Minister of State said that the medical doctors would be transferred in a organized manner.

Stating that His Majesty’s Government would provide all possible assistance for setting up a cardiac center at the hospital, Mr. Basnet said that three more doctors would be added to quota of doctors in the hospital.

At present Birgunj Sub-regional hospital has posts for 25 doctors including11 medical officers.

Parsa DDC Chairman Janardan Singh Chhetri said that the doctors make the hospital more people-oriented by improving the quality of its services.

Deputy mayor of Birgunj Sub-metropolis Krishna Raunaiyar said that the ordinary people should be provided medical services.

German programme for Dhanusha people

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JANAKPURDHAM, April 15:German Ambassador to Nepal Rudiger Lemp has made commitment to launch economic programmes for the poor people of Dhanusha district.

Lemp said the visit of the district was organised to increase understanding on economic development programmes between representatives of Germany and Nepal at the talks to be held in Kathmandu next week.

On the occasion, German South Asia Economic Aid Mission Head Jackhen Kennibeg said Germany will continue to help for infrastructure building of the district.

Mayor Bajarang Prasad Saha stressed on encouraging German tourists to visit this religious and tourism site.

At the programme presided over by Municipality Council Chairman Udayakanta Thakur, various persons including DDC Chairman Ram Charitra Saha, Janakpur Chambers President Ram Naresh Saha, NSP Dhanusha President Bijayalal Das also expressed their views.

The German team also visited the Musahar community at Gamhariya village in Sapahi VDC and committed to build a school, rural development infrastructure programme engineer Shailendra Jha informed.

The delegation also took stock of the credit and savings programme and a women’s pond built through German assistance at Bengadawar and Sapahi VDC and afforestation in Dhalkebar area.

The team includes GTZ IFSP team leader Dektrit Strut, German Government Foreign Department head Klauz Meskendal, and GTZ director Peter Rodd.

Schools on the brink of closure

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RAMECHHAP, April 15:A majority of the schools in Ramechhap district that came into existence since 2051 B.S. are on the brink of closing down as a result of failure to get approval from the government.

The government should check as early as possible openings of the schools without the permission of the government in order to prevent the schools from closing down, Ramechhap District Education Officer Indra Bahadur Shrestha says.

Fifty five schools were opened in 55 VDCs of the district in line with one teacher one school concept in 2050 B.S. and the figure now jumped to 60 which lack government teachers. As such schools have not been awarded permanent status, the students studying in such schools are facing inconveniences. Out of 325 primary schools in Ramechhap district, the schools run
without government’s approval stands at 60. Only seven out of 39 lower secondary schools have received approval from the government whereas 16 out of 45 secondary schools have received approval from the government.

Due to the failure in getting approval from the government, some schools have already closed down.

The plight of such schools which are being run with grant assistance from the concerned VDCs has worsened after the government slashed the development budget for the VDCs due to security reasons.

With the diversion of the VDC’s budget for security purpose, some 60 primary schools, 42 lower secondary schools and 29 secondary schools have been badly affected and about 160 teachers working in these schools will loose their jobs. About 4,000 students studying in such schools have been in doldrums.

According to the census of 2058 B.S., of the total population of 212,575 in the district, 111,022 people are illiterate.