Global Cooperation is Essential in Health Challenges: Minister Paudel

Nepal Health News, Kathmandu – Minister for Health and Population, Pradeep Paudel, has emphasized that global cooperation is indispensable in tackling health challenges, highlighting the need for resource assurance and rethinking priorities to ensure healthcare access for all citizens.

Addressing the 78th World Health Assembly on behalf of the Government of Nepal in Geneva, Switzerland, Minister Paudel stated that the World Health Organization (WHO) must play a more effective role in addressing the current global health challenges.

He noted that equitable and accessible healthcare services are a prerequisite for pandemic preparedness and welcomed new agreements and accords related to pandemic response. Minister Paudel expressed that only through strong cooperation and partnership among member states can sustainable solutions to health security be achieved.

He also presented Nepal’s significant achievements at the conference, including notable improvements in maternal and child mortality rates, success in polio eradication, and expansion of immunization services. He cited the Female Community Health Volunteer Program and the School Health Program as examples that have made a positive impact nationwide.

Minister Paudel also shared details of Nepal’s efforts in implementing the Health Insurance Program, advancing digital health services, and enhancing pandemic preparedness. He discussed Nepal’s initiatives in tobacco control as well.

Highlighting emerging health challenges such as an aging population, declining birth rates, internal migration, mental health issues, and non-communicable diseases, he expressed Nepal’s expectation of international partnerships to address these concerns.

Expressing concern over the health impacts caused by climate change, Minister Paudel announced that Nepal plans to organize an international conference on this issue.

On the sidelines of the assembly, he has also been engaging in bilateral meetings with health ministers from various countries to explore potential areas of collaboration for Nepal.