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The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors have approved $100 million in financing for the Nepal Quality Health Systems Program operation. The Program will improve the quality of healthcare services and increase the coverage of health insurance, and enhance the capacity of the healthcare system to prepare for and respond to health emergencies in Koshi and Gandaki provinces, according to a press release issued by the Washington-based bank's headquarters. “By prioritizing and investing in health, Nepal can reap multiple benefits including improved health outcomes, increased productivity, and economic growth,” said Faris Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. “The World Bank supports Nepal’s goal to put quality at the core of health system policy and planning and service delivery.” The Program will be implemented by the Ministry of Health and Population with the coordination of the Health Insurance Board at the federal level, and provincial and local governments in Koshi and Gandaki provinces to help achieve the strategic objectives of Nepal’s Health Sector Strategic Plan, 2022-2030. These include enhancing efficiency and responsiveness of the health system, promoting sustainable financing and social protection in health, and promoting equitable access to quality health services. “The Program supports the implementation of federalism and builds on Nepal’s first Program for Results in the health sector to address the challenges of access and quality and to build a resilient public health sector,” said Dr Feng Zhao, Practice Manager for Health, Nutrition and Population, South Asia Region. “The results achieved under this Program have the potential for scale-up to other provinces.” The financing for the Program is complemented by a $3.84 million grant from the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (HEPR) Trust Fund. The HEPR Trust Fund supports eligible countries and territories to improve their capacities to prepare, prevent, respond, and mitigate the impact of epidemics on populations.  

A landslide buried the diversion tunnel of the under-construction Arun-3 Hydropower Project in Makalu Rural Municipality 3 and 5 of Sankhuwasabha district. DSP Birendra Godar, Chief at the District Police Office, Sankhuwasabha, said that the Arun River was blocked after the landslide buried the diversion tunnel this morning. He said that only 25 percent water came out of the tunnel. The Arun River was diverted through a 229-meter-long diversion tunnel. The river was flowing through a diversion tunnel by constructing a temporary dam. DSP Godar said that the river was blocked after the landslide occurred at the place from where the tunnel’s water is released. The water has accumulated in the 18-meter-high dam after the closure of the tunnel. The project said that more than a two-kilometer lake has been formed due to the dam. It will be dangerous if the water accumulates for a long time. The workers of the project have been shifted to a safer place. The project said that attempts are being made to release the water from the tunnel itself.  

A nurse was found hanging in Kathmandu on Saturday. Anuma Shrestha (34), in-charge of the Gastro Medicine Ward in Bir Hospital, was found hanging in the Boharatar-based house of Dr Sujan Dhakal. Dr Dhakal works at the Kanti Child Hospital. SSP Himalaya Kumar Shrestha, spokesperson at the Kathmandu Valley Police Office, Rani Pokharai, confirmed that Shrestha was found hanging in the house of Dr Dhakal. “Shrestha was found hanging in the house of Dr Dhakal. Further investigation into the incident is underway,” he said. According to a preliminary investigation, Dhakal has been staying outside Kathmandu for the past two months. Dhakal’s family informed police after they found Shrestha dead. Police said that they have found a suicide note from the incident site. It has been learnt that Dhakal and Shrestha were in a relationship for a long time.    

Rainfall continues to take place as a result of the influence of westerly winds and local winds in some places of Gandaki, Karnali, Lumbini and Sudurpaschim provinces. Meteorologist Ganga Nagarkoti said that although rainfall stopped since Saturday evening in Kathmandu there is a possibility of rainfall today as well. There is a probability of rainfall in many parts of the country including Kathmandu Valley today. Kathmandu Valley is likely to experience rain with thunder and lightning later this afternoon. According to the latest 20-hour statistics of the Weather Forecasting Division, Kathmandu Valley experienced the highest rainfall with 43 mm of rain on Saturday. It has been raining in many places of the country including the federal capital since Saturday. There is a possibility of rain with thunder and lightning in some places of Madhesh province on Sunday as well.