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VOL. 28, NO. 13, Dec 05, 2008 (Mangsir 20 2065 B.S.)
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Health for All
With the support from ECHO, UNFPA launches programs in delivering essential reproductive health care for women, men and adolescents through mobile reproductive health camps
By A CORRESPONDENT
As far western region and mid-western region of Nepal have been facing many problems related to reproductive health, the decision of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to launch the mobile reproductive health camps is very significant.
Under UNFPA's mobile reproductive health camps, large numbers of population living below the poverty line, particularly women and adolescents of various ages, have enjoyed a lot of benefits in the mid western and far western region.
According to UNFPA, it launched two projects through which most vulnerable populations of Nepal can expect to receive immediate services. One is an 18-month long project funded by the Danish Embassy to improve the reproductive health status of populations in Kailali, Dadeldhura, Bajhang, Salyan and Jajarkot districts. The other project, funded by the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid department
(ECHO), provides emergency reproductive health services to conflict affected populations in Mid Western Nepal.
Because of lack of access to health posts and hospitals, large number of women and adolescents have been suffering from various diseases including some very complicated ones. The mobile health camps will serve the needy population.
The aim of the project is to meet the immediate needs of conflict affected populations and to build sustainable service delivery systems for reproductive health (RH); including response mechanisms for gender based violence (SGBV) through an increased understanding of the forms of and needed prevention mechanisms for GBV.
"Key activities will include the conducting of mobile reproductive health outreach camps that in total are expected to directly deliver services to over 50,000 women of reproductive age, men, and adolescents. An estimated 430 women with uterine prolapse will be operated on through the two projects. The camps will have facilities
for screening, counseling and treatment and will also be able to provide awareness-raising for family planning and the prevention of the spread of sexually transmitted infections. Based on previous experiences, about 6% of all clients are likely to benefit from screening for GBV. The project will benefit local health service providers who will receive hands-on training in the mobile camps," said UNFPA's press release.
Since 2005 UNFPA has implemented humanitarian assistance projects in over 21 districts and has improved the lives of close to 100,000 women, men and adolescents. The reproductive health camps are a humanitarian response to deliver immediate services to populations in areas where access remains weak, particularly after the disruption caused by the conflict. 'At the same time as sustainable comprehensive
health care services are developed nationally, immediate needs cannot be neglected,' notes UNFPA's acting Representative Ugochi Daniels.
The mobile health camps contribute towards long-term goals to improve the reproductive health status of women and to advance women's empowerment. The project is in line with the Government of Nepal's ongoing efforts to deliver uterine prolapse surgeries as well as the goals of the new health policy directives, according to which health services will be free up to the Primary Health Care Centre level. This
will play a key role in the prevention of uterine prolapse in Nepal.
S the project will be implemented by local NGOs in cooperation with district stakeholders, zonal hospitals and national and local government agencies, it is expected to cover large number of populations living in various parts of the region.
Rising Alarm Bell
As the number of HIV infected cases rises through out the country, it gives alarming signals
By A CORRESPONDENT
At a time when Nepal was celebrating the World HIV/ AIDS day, a couple of Nepalese would be infected by this deadly virus. From prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to all other senior officials, civil society members and industrialist, all have expressed commitment to fight against HIV/AIDS but there is no sign for taking necessary steps to chart out long term programs.
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PM Dahal with HIV Positive Sudip Bhattarai: Commited to cause |
"I will promise that this government will accelerate all endeavors to fight HIV/AIDS and to lead actively making Nepal an HIV-free nation," declared prime minister Dahal addressing a rally. "National leadership promises to lead and support the organizations working in the field of HIV/AIDS in order to check further infection and to create a proper living situation for those who are infected."
Although prime minister Dahal chairs the National AIDS Council, he is yet to attend any of its meetings. According to the official of ministry of Health, the council meeting was not held in the last several years.
According to the government statistics, 69,790 people are infected with HIV in the country with an everyday addition to the figure. According to an estimate there are additional 50,000 cases of HIV thar are unreported in Nepal. Although there are available medicines, only 2280 people living with HIV are on anti-retroviral medication.
Whatever the prime minister says about it, the situation in various parts of the country is dismal. The report came from Dailekh shows how HIV and AIDS are penetrating rural parts of the country. According to the report, forty-five people died of AIDS in Dailekh's Sinhassain Village Development Committee.
Chief of District Health Office Gunaraj Avasti, disclosed that over 60 percent of population is infected by HIV in some villages. "If something is not done to prevent it, every members of the family will be infected," said Dr. Avasthi.
As Nepal's recent state of HIV indicates, it is gradually penetrating deep inside the rural parts of Nepal.
UN WATCHDOG WORRIES
The United Nations Human Rights Committee has accused Nepal of violation of its human rights obligations in relation to an enforced disappearance case.
The UN rights watchdog found Nepal in violation of Article 7 (the right not to be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in the case of Surya Prasad Sharma, who is alleged to have been forcefully disappeared by personnel of the then Royal Nepalese Army in 2002 in Baglung District, according to a press release issued by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal.
The release added that Sharma was held incommunicado; in violation of Art. 9 (the right to freedom from arbitrary detention) because he was not taken before a judge and given the opportunity to challenge his detention, and in violation of Art. 10 (the right to be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of all persons) because he was forcibly disappeared.
The Committee, in the release, reminded Nepal of its obligation to provide an effective remedy in the case, including, a thorough and effective investigation into the disappearance and fate of Sharma and his immediate release if he is still alive.
