Project description

Title: Promoting the Health Sector
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Nepal
Lead executing agency: Ministry of Health and Population
Overall term: 2001 to 2015

Context

The main challenges in the effort to provide healthcare to Nepal’s growing population are a centralised government administration, the country’s extreme topography and specific cultural characteristics. In comparison with other countries, child and maternal mortality rates in Nepal are still high. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has been supporting the development of the health sector in Nepal since 1994, and since 2004 this support has been provided within the framework of a sector-wide approach (SWAp). This involves close coordination with the Ministry of Health and Population and measures initiated by other donors.

Objective

Access to more effective healthcare is improved for disadvantaged population groups in particular.

Approach

The National Health Sector Programme (NHSP 2010–2015), which was established by the Ministry of Health and Population in collaboration with the country’s development partners, provides a framework for cooperation in the health sector.

GIZ supports three components of the NHSP:

• Decentralisation and systematic quality improvement
• Social health protection and equitable health financing
• Sexual and reproductive health and rights, particularly of young people

GIZ supports regional, district and local administrations in establishing a quality management system for health institutions. In addition, GIZ is working with KfW Entwicklungsbank to provide assistance for construction measures to improve infrastructure.

Results achieved so far

There is now a legal basis for allocating funds from the national budget to district administrations and the first funds have been made available. For the first time, district health officials in the disadvantaged Mid West and Far West regions have a comprehensive development plan for the health sector, which will enable them to use resources more efficiently. Training has been provided to the health institutions’ quality assurance officers.

As a first step towards distributing resources in a socially equitable way, the project presented political decision-makers with a number of different options that would be suitable for the country. The aim is to ensure that poor and socially disadvantaged people can access health services more easily.

There are now 26 institutions where young people can receive advice on and treatment for sexual and reproductive health issues. The government has set aside funds to implement quality improvement measures in all of the country’s 4027 primary health facilities and also in health services for young people.

Downloads

• Nepal at the Crossroads: Setting the Stage for Improved Social Health Protection
  gtz2010-en-Nepal-at-the-Crossroads-Improved-SHP.pdf, 1.41 MB (English)
• The Current Legal Framework on Health Care Financing and Social Health Protection in Nepal
  en-legal-framework-financing-shc-nepal.pdf, 0.49 MB (English)
• Strengthening the health sector response towards sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of young people in Nepal
  giz2011-en-Project-description-GIZ-GFA-ASRH-FINAL.pdf, 0.09 MB (English)
• Essential Drug Procurement and Management in Nepal – Current Challenges and How to Address Them
  en-essential-drug-procurement-nepal.pdf, 1.68 MB (English)

Further information

• Ministry of Health and Population
  http://www.mohp.gov.np
• Department of Health Services
  http://dohs.gov.np