The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID/Nepal) and Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) organized an event to commemorate the closure of its flagship five-year Nepal Family Health Program II (NFHP II). NFHP II built on the successes of the first Nepal Family Health Program to bring renewed efforts to: strengthen Government of Nepal health systems, policy, and leadership; enhance public health service delivery; increase access to and utilization of health services especially by marginalized populations; increase community participation in health service management; and advance global best practices in family planning, maternal and child health services.


Implemented across 22 districts of Nepal, the program supported Nepal in improving the delivery of maternal and child health services to accelerate achievement of its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). A study published in the international peer-reviewed public health journal, The Lancet, attributed the high use and acceptance of family planning in Nepal through long-term investments by USAID, as one of the long-term donors working with the Government to expand access to quality family planning counseling and service delivery. USAID-supported efforts through NFHP II have also contributed to dramatically reduce deaths among Nepalese children.


USAID Mission Director, David C. Attorny remarked, “For over six decades, USAID has been a consistent partner in the health sector, and the 2011 Demographic and Health Survey has clearly shown that our investments have paid off. Child mortality declined by a remarkable 54% in the last 15 years, while maternal mortality declined from 539 to 281 deaths per 100,000 live births in the last 10 years. “


The dissemination event was attended by key stakeholders from the Government of Nepal, other development partners, and media. The $30 million NFHP II was funded by USAID and implemented by JSI Research and Training and 13 other partners.