Pound foolish

The government should cut its unnecessary costs while maintaining essential health services.

The massive budget cuts in maternal health in Nepal are most unwelcome. The Ministry of Health—as per the directive from the Ministry of Finance—is reducing its annual budget by up to 42 percent owing to the negative growth in revenue collection in the country in the first six months of the fiscal year. The decision will affect, among other areas, maternal health, which is already facing a crisis with more mothers dying during and after childbirth. A recent new report by the National Statistics Office showed that in every 100,000 live births, 151 women die of maternity-related complications. How will the country improve on this outcome with a smaller budget?