Opinion | Invest in health data
Summary
The suspension of USAID funding has put Nepal's vital National Demographic and Health Survey 2026 at risk, impacting key health programmes and data essential for policy making and monitoring Sustainable Development Goals.
Key Points
- USAID suspended its support to Nepal's health sector in January 2024, affecting critical health programmes and national surveys.
- The National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2026, crucial for health data and policy guidance, faces uncertainty due to funding cuts.
- Reliable health data from NDHS supports Nepal's health policies, maternal and child health programmes, and tracks progress towards Sustainable Development Goals.
- Government funding is emphasized after USAID cuts, but data credibility concerns remain with some experts fearing manipulation and a lack of independence.
