The Maternity Hospital at Thapathali reports 50 cases monthly of complications resulting from the use of abortion pills.

In the absence of reimbursement, health facilities across the country have warned that they would be compelled to stop providing health services to patients who visit these facilities.

The last several years have seen a major decline in blood donations, leading blood banks to struggle to manage blood for patients.

Nepal has made significant strides in vaccination but measles outbreaks in some districts have become a cause for concern.

The change in climate pattern is attributed to the spread of vector-borne diseases in such areas.

It is well known that the monsoon invites epidemics. Given the possibility of a spread of monsoon diseases, the division earlier used to make preparations and mobilise its staff, including vector control inspectors, accordingly to deal with epidemics.

Veterinarians say the H5N1 virus may pick up in the winter season, but in Nepal the contagious disease have been seen almost in all seasons. Dr Gauriman Shrestha, senior veterinarian at Central Referral Veterinary Hospital, said that the H5N1 virus keeps changing its form and can be seen active in any season.

The department can recall, prohibit the supply and suspend the products of these companies until its inspectors conduct another risk assessment audit and draw a compliance report.

Health workers complain that several programmes of the health sector have been affected by the lengthy process created under the federal system.

Thousands of women and their newborns are at risk as government-run health centres and hospitals across the country have stopped providing cash incentives for months due to lack of funds and coordination among government officials and ministries.

Testing for pesticides on fruits and vegetables has been halted for months now since the authorities have failed to supply kits and technical manpower to the rapid bioassay of pesticide residue labs spread across the country.