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World TB Day is being marked across the world today. 

In Nepal, different programs are being organized by the Ministry of Health and Population, and the health care fraternities to raise public awareness against TB.   

As per the National Strategic Plan to End Tuberculosis, Nepal has set a goal to decrease incidence rate from 238 in 2020/21 to 81 patients per 100,000 population by 2025/26; decrease mortality rate from 58 in 2020/21 to 23 per 100,000 by 2020/21; end TB by 2035; prevent TB by 2050; and reduce the catastrophic cost to zero.

This year's World TB Day 2026 is being celebrated under the theme of ‘Yes! We can end TB!’, which is a bold call to action and a message of hope, affirming that it is possible to get back on track and turn the tide on the TB epidemic, even in a challenging global environment, the World Health Organization stated. 

"With decisive country leadership, increased domestic and international investment, rapid uptake of new WHO recommendations and innovations, accelerated action, and strong multisectoral collaboration, ending TB is not just aspirational - it is achievable," it said.

According to the WHO, 83 million lives have been saved since 2000 by treating TB patients, while 10.7 million people fell ill with TB in 2024 and 1.23 million people died of TB in the same year. In Nepal, 67,000 TB patients were confirmed in 2024. 

At least four people died in separate road accidents in Doti, Jhapa and Parbat districts. 

Two youths died in Doti, one in Jhapa and the next one in Parbat.

Subodh Rokaya (22) and Kailash BK (19) of Adharsha Rural Municipality died after a jeep they were travelling in fell off the road in Doti on Monday, Information Officer of District Police Office in Doti Nabraj Dhungel said.

Dhungel said that the jeep (Sudurpaschim Province 01-001 Cha 3923) skidded off the road as the driver lost control over the vehicle. 

The bodies of Rokaya and BK were recovered near Sailikhola, some 900 meters down the road. 

Likewise, biker Sukdev Ganesh (50) died after a van (Pra-1-01-002 B 6411)  hit a motorcycle (BR-11C-3071) at Kachankabal Rural Municipality-4 in Jhapa last night. 

Critically injured Ganesh died while receiving treatment in a health facility in the locality, spokesperson of District Police Office in Jhapa Khagendra Bahadur Khadka said.

Furthermore, the driver of a jeep (Ga 1 Jha 8029) died after the vehicle fell some 30 meters down the road on the bank of the Kaligandaki river along the Kushma-Phalebas section at Madikuwa in Phalebas Municipality-4, Parbat district.   

Police Inspector Dinesh Poudel said that the deceased has been identified as Sajjan Pariyar (35). 

The jeep was carrying urea fertilizer from Kusma bazaar to Phalebas Municipality.

A dedicated desk has been brought into operation at the Tribhuvan International Airport for foreign citizens of Nepali origin and non-resident Nepalis arriving to the country.

The TIA Immigration Office has started providing services by setting up a special desk at the arrival and departure halls of the airport. 

According to Narahari Ghimire, Chief Immigration Officer of the TIA Immigration Office, separate desks had been arranged for NRNs  before and now a dedicated desk has been arranged for foreign citizens of Nepali origin. This arrangement has been made with the aim of further strengthening their relationship with the Nepali language, culture and homeland, as well as promoting tourism and investment.

As per the decision of the Department of Immigration on March 21, a separate queue and immigration desk have been arranged for foreign citizens of Nepali origin at the arrival and departure gates of the TIA Immigration Office, a press release issued by the Office today states.

An earthquake measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale jolted Bajhang  on Monday with its epicenter at Rayal of the district. 

​​According to the National Seismology and Research Center, the quake was recorded at 1 pm. 

On March 17, an earthquake measuring 4 on the Richter struck Sitaula in Darchula.