Mental health problems during pregnancy and after child birth are responsible for six percent of maternal deaths in Nepal and rank as the second leading cause, according to a National Statistics Office report.

Officials say floating populations, slum dwellers, and migrant workers are among the biggest hurdles to achieving full vaccination coverage in urban areas.

Officials say floating populations, slum dwellers, and migrant workers are among the biggest hurdles to achieving full vaccination coverage in urban areas.

Bird flu outbreaks have been reported in 58 places across Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur and eight in Kavrepalanchowk district.

Shortages at some snake bite treatment centres have forced officials to shift antivenom from centres with extra stocks.

Government officials seek more doses from provincial and local governments as it will take weeks for the ongoing procurement process to be completed.

Stocks were confiscated from wholesalers and retailers in Kathmandu Valley, Rupendehi and Kailali.

Teams of nutritionists have been sent to provinces to coordinate immediate measures after a government assessment found over 200,000 children under five acutely malnourished.

Experts blame referral delays and poor quality care in birthing centres and district hospitals for high maternal death.

Officials say infection has been reported at over 50 places.

The 48-year-old from Chandragiri could not get anti-rabies vaccine on time due to shortages in his locality and reached Sukraraj Hospital only after symptoms appeared.

Sixty percent of drinking water samples in Lalitpur’s Konjyosom have been found contaminated with faecal coliform.

Over 200,000 children under five years of age suffer from acute malnutrition, a nationwide survey conducted last month shows.

Most of the contact numbers of suppliers, made public by the Department of Drug Administration, go unanswered, relatives complain.

Assessment by the health ministry shows newborn units rely heavily on contract staff, while infection control, hygiene and quality monitoring remain weak.