Kathmandu, Oct. 15: Minister for Health and Population Pradip Paudel has urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to upgrade its Vector-Borne Disease Control Research and Training Centre based in Hetauda and to develop it as a Regional Research Centre.
Minister Paudel, who is in Berlin of Germany to take part in the World Health Summit 2024, made such request during a meeting with the Director General of WHO Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
On the occasion, Minister Paudel said that the Centre could be developed as a research centre for the Southeast Asia and added that Nepal was always ready for facilitation.
In response, the WHO Director General said that he was positive to the proposal of Minister Paudel, Chief of Coordination Division Chief of Ministry of Health and Population Dr Bhim Sapkota said.
On the sidelines of the Summit, Minister Paudel also held talks with Sania Nishtar, the Chief Executive Officer of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
During the meeting, Minister Paudel sought vaccine support from Gavi to fight against childhood cancer adding that Nepal was making efforts to fight this challenge.
Paudel also drew attention of the world community through the CEO of Gavi to provide six types of vaccines including of dengue fever for free.
Likewise, Minister Paudel met with this German counterpart Karl Lauterbach and shared about Nepal’s health care reforms through digital health.
On the occasion, German Minister Karl inquired about Nepal’s health priorities for the mobilization of 30 million Euros which is being given to Nepal through German Agency for International Cooperation.
Meanwhile, the stakeholders have praised the progress made by Nepal in the areas of vaccination drive and nutrition through female health volunteers.
At a programme in the World Health Summit, Minister Paudel said that 52,000 female health volunteers active in Nepal’s remote areas have done praiseworthy jobs for the nutrition and maternal health. He viewed that Nepal’s maternal mortality rate was reduced due to their effective role and contributions.
During his participation at the World Health Summit, Minister Paudel met with Jan Christian Vestre and UNICEF’s top leadership.
