Today, on World Health Day, Nepal reaffirmed its commitment to improving maternal and newborn health during a high-level event organized by the Family Welfare Division (FWD), Department of Health Services, with support from WHO. The occasion also marked the national launch of WHO’s year-long global campaign on maternal and newborn health titled “Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures” in Nepal.
Chaired by Health Secretary Dr Bikash Devkota, the event brought together senior officials from the Department of Health Services, the National Planning Commission (NPC), along with representatives from WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, partner agencies, public health professionals and media.
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Dignitaries from the Ministry of Health and Population and WHO Country Office for Nepal at the World Health Day programme held in Bagmati Province, Nepal. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/S.G.Amatya
In his presentation, Dr Bibek Kumar Lal, Director of FWD, highlighted Nepal’s progress in improving maternal and newborn health, presenting findings from the latest maternal mortality estimates report released today. As per the United Nations report, which tracks trends in maternal mortality estimates from 2000 to 2023, Nepal’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has declined to 142 per 100,000 live births – representing a 71% drop since 2000.
Dr Lal also shared data from the 2024 report on newborn mortalities and stillbirths, noting that the neonatal mortality rate has decreased to 16.6 per 1000 live births and stillbirths have fallen to 13.5 per 1000 births. However, he cautioned that reduced funding for maternal and newborn health programmes could threaten those hard-won gains.
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Clockwise: Dr Bikash Devkota, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Population; Professor Dr R.P. Bichha, Member of the National Planning Commission; Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, WHO Representative to Nepal; and Dr Bibek Kumar Lal, Director, Family Welfare Division, delivering their remarks during the programme. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/S.G.Amatya
In his remarks, Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, WHO Representative to Nepal, commended Nepal’s achievements while stressing the need to ensure equitable access to quality maternity and neonatal health services nationwide.
“Each month, around 52 women still die from pregnancy-related complications, mainly in remote and underserved areas. Every preventable death is one too many,” said Dr Pandav. “To reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths, we must expand access to healthcare and strengthen health systems so that all mothers and babies survive and thrive.”
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Dignitaries from the Ministry of Health and Population and WHO, along with public health professionals and media representatives, at the programme. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/S.G.Amatya
He also highlighted global collaboration between WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA to support countries with the “Every Woman, Every Newborn Everywhere” initiative to help countries meet maternal and newborn health targets.
Professor Dr R.P. Bichha, Member of the NPC and chief guest of the event, emphasized the need for sustained and strategic investments in the health sector. “We must continue to invest wisely – prioritizing quality care, a well-trained health workforce, reliable logistics and a robust health information system,” he said. “Strengthening these pillars will ensure that today’s efforts yield long-term benefits for future generations.”
In his closing remarks, Health Secretary Dr Devkota underscored the importance of integrated approaches to health, including maternal and child health.
“We face multiple challenges – from limited resources and climate change to the rising burden of communicable and noncommunicable diseases. An integrated approach, driven by innovation and technology, is essential to deliver efficient health care and save lives of mothers and babies,” said Dr Devkota.
While celebrating hard-won gains, the event also served as a call to action: to reach every mother and newborn with the care they need, Nepal must continue to invest in equitable, high-quality health services for all.