The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) Nepal, convened a successful high-level policy dialogue titled “Reimagining Primary Health Care for Universal Health Coverage”. The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from the government, civil society, development partners and academia, to openly discuss the challenges and opportunities in Nepal’s primary health care (PHC) system.
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Participants actively engaged in the high-level policy dialogue titled “Reimagining Primary Health Care for Universal Health Coverage” in Bagmati province, Nepal. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/S.G.Amatya
The event opened with a presentation from Dr Krishna Prasad Paudel, the Chief of Policy, Planning and Monitoring Division at MoHP, who outlined the current state of Nepal’s PHC system and highlighted key areas needing reform. Dr Gampo Dorji, Public Health Advisor at WHO Nepal, followed with a presentation on the global landscape of PHC in the context of achieving UHC.
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From clockwise: Health Secretary Dr Bikash Devkota; Dr Krishna Prasad Paudel, Chief of the Policy, Planning and Monitoring Division at MoHP; WHO Representative to Nepal Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav; and Dr Gampo Dorji, Public Health Advisor at WHO Nepal, delivering their remarks. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/S.G.Amatya
Distinguished speakers including public health experts Prof. Dr Sharad Onta and Prof. Dr Rita Thapa, emphasized the need to enhance accessibility, tailor PHC strategies to evolving disease burdens, particularly the rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and prioritize preventative care and community-based services.
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Public health experts Professor Rita Thapa (left) and Professor Dr Sharad Onta sharing their insights at the programme. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/S.G.Amatya
Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, WHO Representative to Nepal, reiterated WHO’s commitment to supporting Nepal’s efforts in strengthening its PHC systems as a pathway to achieving UHC and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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Participants attentively observing and interacting during the poster presentation segment of the programme. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/S.G.Amatya
In his closing remarks, Health Secretary Dr Bikash Devkota concluded that it was necessary to reimagine PHC not just as a reform of service delivery, but as a broader effort to empower communities and reduce health inequities.
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A group photo of the participants. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/S.G.Amatya
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from all participants to collaborate in shaping a more accessible, equitable and resilient primary health care system in Nepal. It was agreed that MoHP will lead a series of theme-based dialogues on primary health care.
This dialogue marks the first in a planned series of policy discussions by the MoHP aimed at addressing critical policy gaps in the pursuit of health for all.