Nepal

International Medical Corps (IMC) is working in Nepal to ensure the delivery of basic health services in difficult contexts, and over the long-term. The most practical way to do this is to work toward building knowledge and skills through its Nepal Health Reform Project (NHRP) so that the Nepalese people are able to get back on their feet and care for themselves.

Background

Nepal, situated in the Himalayas between India and China, is one of the world's poorest countries. The United Nations estimates that about 40 percent of its population lives in poverty. While it has been ruled by a hereditary monarchy for much of its history, Nepal became a constitutional monarchy in 1990. However, it was quickly destabilized by infighting in the government and, since 1996, a violent communist rebellion and ensuing civil war that left more than 12,000 people dead and 100,000 displaced.

Following widespread protests, the king was forced to relinquish much of his authority and return power to the people. A November 2006 peace agreement and the subsequent establishment of a transitional government in January 2007, has enabled the monarchy and the rebels to begin the long process of building a democracy and planning for the future of Nepal.

What IMC Is Doing

Social and economic conditions in Nepal have been too fluid and risky for many of its communities to make long-term investments in health-care systems. Stunted by poverty and conflict, the country has focused instead on the short-term and on securing its most basic needs, such as food, water, and shelter. What local communities need is the ability to ensure the delivery of basic health services in difficult contexts, and over the long-term. The most practical way to do this is to work toward building knowledge and skills through its Nepal Health Reform Project (NHRP) so that the Nepalese people are able to get back on their feet and care for themselves.

IMC has an outstanding reputation for rehabilitating health care systems at the primary level following natural and man-made disasters. Its interest in NHRP is to improve services in case of future conflict situations. Practically speaking, this means that IMC aims to:

Assess barriers to health care access and delivery for the most vulnerable people, and develop a strategy to eliminate those barriers;
Strengthen health sector accountability and inclusion, while developing ways for civil society groups to engage in health-care policy discussions;
Raise public awareness about patient rights and develop training program for professionals to ensure equitable, high-quality health care.

Together, IMC and its partners hope to rehabilitate Nepal’s devastated health care system and ensure high-quality care for underserved populations.