Nepal Reduces Stunting Among Children Under 5 by 32% in the Last Two Decades: Minister Paudel

Nepal Health News, Kathmandu. The Minister for Health and Population, Pradeep Paudel, has stated that the role of community health volunteers is crucial in improving the nutrition of newborns and pregnant women. In his address at the ‘Nutrition for Growth Paris 2025’ event held in Paris, France, he emphasized that the involvement of female community health volunteers is vital in raising awareness and delivering services at the grassroots level to improve maternal and child nutrition.

Minister Paudel mentioned that in the last two decades, Nepal has reduced the stunting rate among children under five years old by 32 percent. While the problem stood at 57 percent in 2001, official statistics show that it has now decreased to 25 percent.

The minister clarified that the availability of iron and folic acid tablets provided by the government for pregnant women has increased by 65 percent. While only 6 percent of pregnant women in Nepal were receiving iron and folic acid supplementation, this has now increased to 71 percent.

He mentioned, “We have achieved significant progress in both areas. The role of women community health volunteers and coordination between governments is crucial for bringing this program to the community level.”

Minister Paudel highlighted that Nepal has made important achievements in providing nutritional food and cash assistance to children studying in schools, as well as in vitamin A supplementation and iron tablets for pregnant women and newborns.

He noted that challenges Nepal faces include limited programs, budget cuts, and the need for cooperation among various sectors to enhance the capacity of local volunteers. Minister Paudel shared that Nepal's experience in improving maternal and child nutrition has been successful due to multi-sectoral cooperation, community involvement, and sustainable political commitment, which has helped address the issue of malnutrition.

Before participating in the conference, Minister Paudel had discussions with various international donor agencies and philanthropic organizations to improve the nutrition levels of pregnant women and newborns in Nepal. The American philanthropic organization ‘Eleanor Crook Foundation’ has committed to supporting the ministry’s plan to supply 15 types of nutrition to pregnant women and newborns.