HEALTH STATUS IN NEPAL

The literary meaning of health is the state of being physically and mentally fit. Health is considered as another most important infrastructure of development. Even the educated people need to be healthy in order to study and work and to be happy.

“A sound mind in a sound body” should be the motto of a happy life. It is indeed true that only a person with a sound mind and a sound body can think and act rationally. Education without good health is meaningless and worthless. Only the healthy human power can lead the country to the path of development by utilizing their power of knowledge and creativity.

Every country requires healthy human resources. Health of the people depends upon the availability of health services.

Health Services in the Past
Before 2007 BS, there were limited health services. The population was limited and the environment was clean and pollution free. The people of that time were healthy. They ate fresh and hygienic food. They were immune to many kinds of diseases. They hardly fell sick. They depended on Ayurvedic medicines. Bir Hostpital is the oldest hospital of the country of Nepal. It was established in 1947 BS, by Prime Minister Bir Shumsher.

Health Services at Present
At present, Nepal is facing the problems of population growth and environmental pollution. Health facilities are inadequate for the growing population. Majority of the people are suffering from poverty and illiteracy. They have poor idea of health and sanitation. There is high infant, child and maternal death rate. Infants and children suffer from polio, tuberculosis, diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid, encephalitis, etc. Many die due to the lack of maternal care.

PROBLEMS IN HEALTH SECTOR
• There are not enough hospitals, health posts and health centres specially in the remote areas.
• Medical treatment and facilities are not available as required.
• Doctors and health workers hesitate to go to remote areas.
• Rural people mostly rely on witch doctors or Dhami-Jhankri.
• People in remote and rural areas themselves are less interested to get treatment in hospitals or health posts.
• Private hospitals in urban areas are too expensive for common people.
• Government hospitals are not well-equipped and service-oriented.

SOLUTIONS
1. Provision should be made to establish well-facilitated hospitals and health posts in remote areas.
2. Medicines and medical equipment must be made available when required.
3. The doctors and health workers should be encourage to go to remote areas with good incentives.
4. Programmes should be conducted to raise public awareness about medical treatment, health and sanitation.
5. Health sectors should not be commercial.
6. Government hospitals should be well-equipped and service oriented so that maximum people can benefit.

HEALTH SERVICES IN NEPAL
1. Hospitals--------------------------------------83.
2. Health Posts----------------------------------700.
3. Health Centres-------------------------------10.
4. Primary Health Centres---------------------180.
5. Doctors-------------------------------------5415.
6. Nurses--------------------------------------9146.
7. Health assistants----------------------------5259.
8. Ayurvedic service centres-------------------287.
9. Health Workers----------------------------3190.
Source: Health Ministry, Central Bureau of Statistics

Policy and Effort in Health Services
The government of Nepal has set up Ministry of Health to formulate plans and policies to maintain and promote better health of the people.

Tribhuwan Uneversity (TU) has a Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj. TU also runs an Ayurvedic college in Kathmandu.

The government has also given approval and recognition to different medical colleges run under BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences and Kathmandu University.

Besides, there are many specialized hospitals such as eye hospitals, dental hospitals, etc.

Along with the efforts made by the government, many international agencies like WHO, UNICEF, UMN, INF, etc are giving valuable services to our country in the medical field. Several NGOs, INGOs, associations, and clubs are providing voluntary services to promote the health sector.

Example:
Gopal Shrestha is a student of class 7 in Mahendra Secondary School. He has visited a health post of his village and brought the following facts about it.
1. Name of the health post: Janak Health Post, Hadikhola
2. Date of establishment: 2047 B.S.
3. Working Days: Sunday to Friday (10a.m to 3p.m.)
4. Number of Staff: Emergency service available on Saturday.

Post ----------------------------- No.
Chief ---------------------------- 1
Assistant Health Worker ----- 3
A.N.M. -------------------------- 2
Social Health Worker --------- 4
Sudeni --------------------------- 2
Peon ----------------------------- 2
Total ---------------------------- 14

5. The following services are available:
i. All types of vaccinations for children
ii. Dressing of wound and sores.
iii. Treatment for stomachache, fever and headache.
iv. Treatment for diarrhea and dysentery.
v. Treatment for hookworm, tapeworm, roundworm especially for children.
vi. Services for family planning.

6. Services free of Charges:
i. All vaccines for infants and children.
ii. Temporary means of family planning.
iii. Medicines for fever, headache stomach ache etc.
iv. Medicine for leprosy.
v. Jeevan Jal, Vitamin ‘A’ capsule.
vi. Bulletins related to health education.