Nepal looking forward to practical collaborations

Kathmandu /  May 22: Minister of State for Health Padma Kumari Aryal said Nepal is in need of functional partnership and practical collaborations in moving the health systems towards the right direction.

To this end, Nepal would like to call our valued partners and the global communities for support in developing comprehensive policies and delivering the right plans, she added.

The Minister of State for Health was delivering a statement at the 71st session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) this morning at the Palais Des Nations, Geneva. The WHA that began on Monday will run until Saturday and is being attended by delegations from all Member States. The WHA is the decision-making body of the World Health Organisation (WHO), according to the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations Offices and other international organizations in Geneva.

In her address, the Minister of State highlighted Nepal’s positive health outcomes attained so far including the attainment of MDGs, challenges of adapting effective health system in the federalized State structure and the importance of partnership with WHO and the international community. She noted that Nepal’s proposed reforms in the health sector is in line with WHO’s reform agenda as reflected in the General Programme of Work ( 2019-2023), which is being adopted by the Assembly today.

This year’s Assembly organized on the theme of ‘Health for All: Commit to Universal Health Coverage’; is presided over by the Zimbabwean Health and Child Care Minister, Dr David Parirenyatwa. The opening session yesterday was addressed by the President of Swiss Confederation and the Director-General of WHO, among others.

Nepal recognized for elimination of trachoma

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Minister of State Aryal met with WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom and held the discussion on issues of interests between Nepal and WHO. Congratulating on successful elimination of trachoma in Nepal, a certificate of recognition was handed over by the DG to the State Minister Ms. Aryal. The discussion focused on setting up of the effective federal health system and strengthening partnership with WHO to build a robust health system in Nepal. The DG expressed hope that Nepal would also be able to eliminate Kaalajar in the near future.

The visiting delegation led by the Minister of State for Health comprises Permanent Representative of Mission of Nepal to the UN Deepak Dhital, Deputy Representative of the Mission Tirtha Raj Wagle, Chief of PPICD, Ministry of Health Mahendra Prasad Shrestha, Registrar of Nepal Medical Council Dilip Sharma and other senior officials.

Leading the Nepali delegation to the 71st WHA, Minister of State Aryal reached Geneva on Saturday and is scheduled to return to Kathmandu on Thursday. RSS