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Development partners worry over critical shortage of medical supplies in Nepal

Xinhua, December 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

The external development partners working in the health sector have expressed their serious concern over the critical and growing shortages of essential medical supplies in Nepal.

Issuing a joint statement on Tuesday, they expressed worry over the ongoing fuel crisis that has severely impeded service delivery and the ability to access medicines and health care facilities.

The joint statement said "Health care facilities at all levels lack over half of essential supply requirements. Reduced ability to access quality health care services and treatment is already affecting the most vulnerable, including pregnant and postpartum women, older persons, children, earthquake-affected communities and persons with acute conditions".

Mentioning about the right to timely access to quality health care services as enshrined in the International Convent of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the agencies warned that the effects will be exacerbated if the situation prolonged.

"Disruptions to public health programs, including routine immunization, will have an extremely serious and lasting impact on the health of children", the statement further read.

The development partners also informed that they have been working jointly with the Ministry of Health and Population of Nepal to explore all options for the provision of immediate assistance and support.

As per them, medical supplies have been mobilized and are being distributed to regional, sub-regional, district and zonal hospitals.

The international agencies have also urges all sides to address restrictions on the import and free movement of essential supplies including vaccines, drugs and other medical goods as a means of respecting and facilitating the human right to access quality health care services.

The statement was issued jointly by the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the Department for International Development (DFID), The German Development Cooperation (GIZ), and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). Endit