Nepal on Positive Direction to meet MDG targets 

If the government is able to manage resources and build institutional and policy capacity for implementation of the strategic interventions, most of the MDG targets can be met by 2015. Good health of a country’s population is an indicator of a more productive population and is a function of several factors such as life expectancy of a person at birth, the infant mortality rate and maternal mortality. Attempts made in the past to develop the health services have improved in the public health status. An education system provides a strong vehicle for the development of a country. National development depends largely on the type of education system the country adopts and its educational policies. Nepal has made enormous growth by experimenting with several such systems. 

 

Education sector 

The education sector has made notable achievements. In, FY 2011-12 net enrolment rate in the primary levels had reached 95.1 percent, on basic it is 86.6 percent, and in secondary education it is 30.6 percent. Such enrolment rates in the previous year were 94.5 percent, 86.0 percent and 27.1 percent respectively. In education session of FY 2011-12, the numbers of students studying in the Primary schools were 4,782,885; 1,812,680 in Lower Secondary schools; and 848,569 in Secondary schools. Number of schools has also grown with 33,881 Primary, 13,791 Lower Secondary, and 8,233 Secondary Schools. Whereas, in the FY 2013-14 the rate of enrollment was 95.3 percent. A total of 87.5 percent students have an access to primary education, the rate of secondary level being 32.8 percent 

 

Health sector 

Of the major MDGs, the health sector has made tremendous achievements. For instance, in the FY 2011-12 infant mortality rate that was 43 per thousand live births. In 1996 it has come down to 9; and maternal mortality rate has dropped from 539 to 229. By Mid March of 2012, Hospitals 105, health posts 2,175 Ayurved hospitals and clinics 293, sub-health posts 2,292, rural hospitals with 15 beds 7, and 21 others totaling 4,393 health institutions were providing health services to the people. 

 

In the FY 2013-14, Nepal witnessed a decrease in the death rate of children from 118.3 per 1000 children to 55 per 1000 children. More health care centers are established thus people are much more aware of their health now. 

The total per capita spending has continued to increase over the years. Public spending on health has been increasing as a result of the growing realization of the importance of health to socio-economic development and the direct welfare of citizens. 

 

Life Standard 2011-12 

The Nepal Living Standard Survey (NLSS III), made public in FY 2011-12 shows 25.2 percent population below the poverty line. According to the same survey, the Gini Index, which depicts income inequality, has come down to 0.33 percent meaning that there has been a decline in income inequality. 

In the FY 2013-14, the government aims at bringing down the rate from 25.16 percent to 21 percent.