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MDG trail right on track
KATHMANDU, JUN 22 -
It appears Nepal is likely to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) within the given timeline, 2015.
International research organizations have claimed that Nepal among other 20 developing countries has shown significant progress in terms of achieving MDGs. Officials at the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) also confirmed that they are on the right track.
MDGs are the set of promises world leaders made to significantly reduce extreme poverty, illiteracy and disease by 2015.
A report released on Tuesday by Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and UN Millennium Campaign (UNMC) stated that “many of the world’s poorest countries are making the most overall progress towards achieving the MDGs.” It said that 20 countries, including Nepal are making the progress in meeting the MDGs and are on track to meet the target of halving poverty by 2015.
Talking to the Post on Tuesday, MoHP Spokesman Dr. Laxmi Raj Pathak said that while analysing the trend of progress in meeting the goals Nepal has achieved a great deal. “We have extended people’s access to the facilities,” said Pathak adding that Nepal will be able to meet Goal 4 — Reducing Child Mortality — under the MDGs within 2011.
According to him, the MoHP has extended different programmes to facilitate people across the country for reducing maternal mortality, child mortality and poverty eradication.
According to the MDG plan, Nepal aims to reduce the maternal mortality to 134 per 100,000 in the next five years. Records from the Demographic Health Survey (DHS) show that in 2001 Nepal had 539 maternal mortality among 100,000, which reduced to 281 in 2006.
Though the next census of DHS is due to happen in 2011, a kind of survey was conducted in eight districts in 2008-9 which shows that the rate has decreased to 229.
“The data show that Nepal will meet the MDGs within the estimated time frame,” said Shilu Aryal, Senior Consultant of obstetrician gynaecologist at the Family Health Department. She added they are strengthening the services along with providing training and building infrastructure to meet the goals.
Salil Shetty, Director of the United Nations Millennium Campaign, said, “The leaders and tax-payers of G-8 countries must now keep their aid commitments, with the confidence that their investment is making a tangible difference.”
ODI Director Dr. Alison Evans said the study seeks to broaden debate about MDG progress. The top 20 countries aiming at meeting MDGs aside from Nepal are India, Bangladesh, Benin, Mali and China among others.
The report also identified a number of additional factors that contribute to progress on MDGs: Poor countries should have consistent leadership committed to an extended period of time to reduce poverty, make public sector accountable to citizens and empower local governments and communities.
Posted on: 2010-06-23 08:06
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