Kathmandu: The Government of Japan and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) jointly signed an agreement to launch the “Project for Improvement of Maternal and Child Health Care Services and Adaptive Capacity in Nepal.”
The initiative aims to enhance healthcare resilience to climate change and natural disasters. The Government of Japan contributed USD 1.1 million to the project, and it is set to begin in March 2025.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal Maeda Toru highlighted the significance of this collaboration.
“As Nepal faces growing climate-related challenges, Japan is proud to stand beside Nepal and UNFPA to ensure that maternal and newborn health services are protected, especially in remote and disaster-prone communities,” he remarked.
The one-year project will focus on Jajarkot and Rautahat, two districts in Nepal that are highly vulnerable to climate impacts, and will refurbish and strengthen 10 maternal health facilities, equipping them with solar power and energy-efficient medical equipment while providing specialized training for healthcare workers.
“This project we launch today marks a key step in turning Nepal’s Climate Change Health Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan into action—through local tools, guidelines, and climate-resilient model health facilities built to withstand extreme weather and disasters,” said Dr. Bikash Devkota, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Population.
According to recent assessments, maternal healthcare infrastructure in affected districts has struggled to remain functional during emergencies, underscoring the urgent need for investment in resilient healthcare systems.
Similarly, Young Hong, UNFPA Representative for Nepal, emphasized the project’s alignment with Nepal’s broader climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction efforts. “This partnership underscores the urgent need to strengthen the physical capacity of health facilities to adapt to the impacts of recurring climate crises and disasters,” she said. “We are grateful to the government and people of Japan’s commitment to strengthening Nepal’s health system and safeguarding women’s health and rights.”
The initiative anticipates benefiting 48,000 women and newborns annually, ensuring access to quality maternal health services that can withstand environmental challenges.
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