Kathmandu, Nepal: The Government of Nepal, in partnership with UNFPA and the Embassy of Japan, has unveiled a refurbished climate-resilient health facility in Jajarkot, marking a significant milestone in strengthening maternal and newborn health services in vulnerable communities.
The upgraded Bhur Health Post, located in Bheri Municipality of Jajarkot district, was officially inaugurated on Tuesday under a joint initiative aimed at improving healthcare systems in disaster-prone regions. The project, titled Improvement of Maternal and Child Health Care Services and Adaptive Capacity in Nepal, is funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by UNFPA.
The initiative addresses critical gaps in districts such as Jajarkot and Rautahat, where health facilities serving pregnant women and newborns are increasingly exposed to risks from landslides, cold waves, and other climate-induced disasters.
The refurbishment of Bhur Health Post represents a model for climate-resilient primary healthcare. It is one of ten health facilities being strengthened under the project to better withstand climate-related shocks while continuing to provide essential maternal and newborn health services.
As part of the programme, essential medical equipment and life-saving supplies, including medical camp kits, have been provided to enhance emergency preparedness and enable pre-positioning for future crises. Additionally, climate adaptation guidelines have been developed for Health Facility Operation and Management Committees (HFOMCs) to strengthen local-level operational management and service delivery.
During the event, essential medical equipment was formally handed over to the facility. Certificates were also presented to four additional health institutions—Dhime Health Post, Sakla Health Post, Limsa Basic Hospital, and Bhagawati Health Post—that have benefited from the programme.
Speaking at the event, UNFPA Nepal Representative (a.i.) Sriram Haridass said the project demonstrates what can be achieved through coordinated efforts involving evidence-based planning, investment, and government support.
“This health post is more than a refurbished building. It represents a commitment to ensuring that women across Nepal have access to safe, functional, and accessible healthcare services, even during floods, disasters, and crises,” he said.
A key outcome of the project has been the generation of new evidence, including health facility assessments, policy analyses, and costed health action plans for climate adaptation, to support planning and budgeting at the sub-national level.
An advocacy workshop held alongside the inauguration brought together policymakers, health system managers, and community representatives to discuss the findings and their implications for prioritising climate-resilient health services in Karnali Province.
Mayor of Bheri Municipality, Chandra Prakash Gharti, reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to integrating climate adaptation into local planning processes.
Similarly, SHINTO Yasuharu, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Nepal, reiterated Japan’s continued support for Nepal’s efforts to protect vulnerable communities. He expressed confidence that the lessons and models emerging from the project would have a lasting impact beyond the target districts.
The event also featured an interaction session where health workers, mothers, and community members shared firsthand experiences of accessing maternal health services during disasters and emergencies, ensuring that the voices of those most affected remain central to policy discussions.
