A newly renovated Bhur Health Post in Bheri Municipality, Jajarkot, was jointly inaugurated today, Thursday, with support from the Government of Japan and UNFPA. The project aims to strengthen maternal and newborn health services while addressing climate-related risks in Jajarkot and Rautahat districts. UNFPA Nepal’s Acting Representative, Shriram Haridas, stated, “This is not just a rebuilt health post.”
On May 29, in Kathmandu – The Bhur Health Post in Bheri Municipality, Jajarkot, was officially inaugurated through a collaborative effort involving the Government of Nepal, UNFPA, and the Japanese Embassy. This initiative is part of the “Improvement of Maternal and Child Health Services and Development of Adaptive Capacity” project in Nepal, financially supported by the Government of Japan and implemented by UNFPA.
The project focuses on strengthening maternal and newborn health services in Nepal’s most vulnerable communities. It includes physical improvements to health facilities, provision of essential equipment, and capacity building of healthcare workers, thereby exemplifying climate-resilient primary health care. Specifically, the initiative addresses critical gaps in health services responding to natural hazards such as floods and cold weather, which affect pregnant women and newborns in Jajarkot and Rautahat districts.
Despite natural disasters and climate-related threats, this project has reinforced Bhur Health Post and nine other health institutions to ensure continuous maternal and newborn care. It has supplied vital emergency medical life-saving materials, such as “medical camp kits,” enhancing critical resource reserves. Climate adaptation guidelines for operational management and service delivery have also been developed for health institution management committees at the local level to empower climate-resilient operations.
At a special ceremony, basic medical equipment was formally handed over to the health institutions, and certificates were presented to Dhime, Sakla Health Posts, Limsa Primary Hospital, and Bhagwati Health Post. UNFPA Nepal’s Acting Representative, Shriram Haridas, emphasized, “This health post is not merely a reconstructed building; it is a tangible example of what can be achieved when facts, investment, and government support come together. Nepali women deserve accessible, fully functional, and safe health institutions even during disasters and crises.”
Another accomplishment of the project is its support for sustainable planning and budget management at the local and provincial levels. This included evaluations, policy analyses, and formulation of health work plans with cost estimates for climate adaptation. During a workshop held today, policymakers, health system managers, and community representatives discussed these outcomes and strategies to prioritize climate-resilient health services in Karnali Province. Bheri Municipality Chief, Chandraprakash Gharti, expressed commitment to making climate adaptation mandatory in all municipal development plans. Japanese Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, Shinto Yasuhara, reaffirmed Japan’s ongoing dedication to protecting Nepal’s vulnerable communities. The knowledge and models generated by the project are expected to have long-term, sustainable impacts beyond the districts where they have been implemented. During the event, health workers, mothers, and community members shared their experiences regarding access to and delivery of maternal health services during disasters and emergencies.
