Nepal set for contraceptive shortage amid funding cuts
Summary
Nepal faces a looming shortage of contraceptives due to budget cuts by the government and aid agencies, risking an increase in unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions.
Key Points
- Health facilities across Nepal recently experienced critical shortages of family planning products like Depo-Provera, IUDs, and condoms.
- The Ministry of Health and Population reduced its contraceptive budget from Rs250 million to Rs170 million for fiscal year 2026-27.
- UNFPA cut its annual funding to Nepal from $3.2 million to $1.06 million, contributing to the shortage risk.
- Nearly half of all pregnancies in Nepal are unintended, with close to two-thirds ending in abortion, emphasizing the importance of family planning services.
