WHO pledges to support Nepal in health emergency preparation

KATHMANDU: The World Health Organization (WHO) has pledged to support Nepal in strengthening its health emergency preparedness and priorities in the health sector.

Minister for Health and Population Birodh Khatiwada said this at a press meet organised here today to share information about WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus’ recent three-day goodwill visit to Nepal and discussions held in course of the visit. The WHO Director General’s visit concluded on Saturday.

Nepal received commitments from the WHO for the establishment of a maternity and child health cooperation centre focused on oncology, for the development of Vector-Borne Disease Training and Research Center as the WHO Southeast Asian Regional Center, for manufacturing of emergency drugs, for the establishment of health industry relating to surgery and for opportunities and capacity enhancement of Nepali health experts.

“Director-General Tedros has his concern over the National Public Health Laboratory,” the Minister said, adding that the WHO chief had expressed his interest in assisting Nepal in the development of an advanced genomic lab, for getting the required equipment and for the tests.

More, the WHO high-level delegation responded to issues put forth before it by Nepal positively and pledged to take them towards implementation phase with the preparation of a required action plan. Nepal has the WHO support and cooperation in its health sector. RSS