The gap nobody is talking about: Why Nepal's stagnant child mortality rate is a warning sign
Summary
Nepal's neonatal mortality rate has remained stuck at 21 per 1,000 live births for years despite major gains in institutional deliveries and immunisation. The country still lacks organised preconception care, routine birth-defect screening, and early identification systems for neurodevelopmental conditions.
Key Points
- Institutional deliveries in Nepal have risen sharply, but neonatal mortality has stagnated at 21 per 1,000 live births for years.
- The health system lacks national programmes for preconception care, routine screening for birth defects, and foetal screening for conditions such as Down syndrome.
- One-third of neonatal deaths are attributed to congenital anomalies, while only 21 percent of pregnant women take folic acid adequately.
- The article argues Nepal must move beyond access to facilities and invest in planning, screening, and early detection to prevent avoidable disabilities.
