Swasthya Khabar Patrika held its 11th Swasthya Khabar Health Awards in Kathmandu on Friday to honour individuals who have made significant contributions to the achievement of health-related sustainable development goals.

The award ceremony was conducted under the theme ‘SDGs: Health and Wellbeing for All,’ the organiser said in a statement.

The awards were presented in ten categories, with nine of them aligning with goal three of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). And, one category recognized an individual for contributions to health-related sustainable development goals as a female community health volunteer.

In the category of Goal 3.1 – Maternal Mortality Reduction, Sushmita Bohora, a nurse from Chauganfaya Health Unit in Humla, emerged as the winner. Dr Bishwanath Shah, a paediatrician at Bardiya Hospital in Gulariya, received the prestigious award for Goal 3.2 – Ending Preventable Deaths Under 5 Years of Age.

The awards for Goal 3.3 – Fighting Communicable Diseases were bestowed upon Hemraj Joshi, the Vector Control Supervisor Officer at Sudurpaschim Health Directorate, and Dr. Mahesh Shah, the Medical Director of Anandaban Hospital. In the category of Goal 3.4 – Reducing Mortality From Non-Communicable Diseases, the winners were Kebal Singh Sarki, a Public Health Inspector at Dhansihapur Health Post in Tikapur, Kailali, and Deepak Risal, the Mayor of Gokarneshwor Municipality. In the category Goal 3.5 – Preventing and Treating Substance Abuse, the Aasara Drug Rehabilitation Center of Nepal Police was acknowledged for their exceptional work.

Tek Prasad Bhandari, the Mayor of Swargadwari Municipality in Pyuthan, was recognized for his efforts to reduce road injuries and deaths in alignment with Goal 3.6. For Goal 3.7 – Universal Access to Sexual and Reproductive Care, Family Planning, and Education, Juhi Khatun, an Auxiliary Nurse Midwife at Bhaluwahi Health Post in Siraha, received the award. Dr. Arne Drews, Co-founder of NepalMed, and Shirley Heywood, a Gynecologist Surgeon at International Nepal Fellowship (INF), were the distinguished winners for Goal 3.8 – Achieving Universal Health Coverage.

In the category of Goal 3.9 – Reduction of Illness and Deaths from Hazardous Chemicals and Pollution, Mahesh Nakarmi, Chairperson of the Health Environment and Climate Action Foundation, was recognized for his significant contributions. Lastly, the award for Contribution to Health-Related Sustainable Development Goals as Female Community Health Volunteer was presented to Sharmila Lingden, a dedicated Female Community Health Volunteer from Sidingwa Rural Municipality in Taplejung.