Kathmandu: Prime Minster K P Sharma Oli who is New York to attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly has raised the issue of lead poisoning at a Partnership Launch and Pledging Event on a Lead-Free Future organized by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) at the United Nations.
Speaking at the event, PM said that lead poisoning harms every child in low- and middle-income countries, damaging their cognitive development, physical health, and future potential. He also said lead exposure causes global productivity losses at an estimated 1.4 trillion dollars annually. Nepal PM proposed four-point solutions to lead-poisoning.
First, he said, governments should take the leadership and put in place effective domestic policy measures such as limiting and, where necessary, banning the use of lead in different sectors. Second, the United Nations and its agencies should put this issue on high priority. “UN agencies should help national institutions, particularly in the LDCs and the LICs, through capacity building, education, awareness raising, training, and research and development,” he said. “WHO can provide support to install necessary testing facilities in hospitals and labs.” Third, World Bank and other IFIs, international and bilateral donors like USAID should scale up their support in needy countries. Fourth, a mass awareness program should be launched with specific target groups like children and pregnant women, reaching out the furthest behind.
He also informed the global audience that Nepal has already banned leaded gasoline. “Nepal is one of the first countries in the global south to ban leaded gasoline and the first in the region to regulate lead in paint through binding rules,” he said. In 2014, the government of Nepal enacted the National Lead Paint Standard to eliminate leaded paint from Nepal, he said, adding that in 2023, Nepal introduced strict regulations limiting heavy metals, including lead, in infant food, alcoholic beverages, and essential food and water supplies.
Nepal will conduct blood lead level assessment in 2025, said the Prime Minister. “We will conduct a national blood lead level assessment in 2025, to collect critical data to further refine our health and environmental policies.”
He also said that Nepal is committed to ensuring lead-free future. “Let me express Nepal’s firm commitment to work with all partners for a lead-free future in Nepal and beyond,” he said.
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