RAUTAHAT: The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has established a model for climate-resilient maternal and newborn healthcare in Nepal, demonstrating how frontline health facilities can maintain life-saving services during severe climate-related disasters.
The model was highlighted during a policy dialogue and field visit to the Auraiya Birthing Centre in Ishnath Municipality, Madhesh Province. The event brought together government representatives, healthcare providers and community leaders to review successful adaptation measures and chart a roadmap for scaling up climate-resilient health infrastructure in other vulnerable regions of Nepal, according to a UNFPA press release issued today.
During an official visit to the centre, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nepal Lila Pieters Yahia said even small, targeted investments could significantly improve access to maternal healthcare.
“My visit to Auraiya Birthing Centre showed me how even small, targeted investments can make a real difference in access to maternal healthcare. What struck me most was the importance of having a qualified nurse at the health post. Her presence has built trust in the community, giving rural women, including those in more conservative communities, the confidence to seek care during pregnancy and after childbirth,” she said.
“Investing in rural health posts, qualified health workers and essential infrastructure saves lives. That is why mobilising domestic resources for maternal and primary healthcare is so important. It is an investment in women, families and communities across Nepal,” she added.
Located in the flood-prone plains, the Auraiya Birthing Centre has been upgraded into a climate-resilient healthcare facility under the Government of Japan-funded project, Improvement of Maternal and Child Health Care Services and Adaptive Capacity in Nepal.
Implemented by UNFPA in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Food Safety, the project has equipped the facility with a backup power system, a medical waste management site, improved ventilation and cooling, and water purification units, among other upgrades.
Beyond infrastructure improvements, the initiative has strengthened local government ownership and promoted long-term operational sustainability through guidelines for the municipal Health Facility Operation and Management Committee (HFOMC) and the development of a climate-adaptive health action plan.
Highlighting the urgency of the initiative, UNFPA Deputy Representative in Nepal Dr Bashir Najeeb said the flash floods that struck Nepal on August 26, 2026, had demonstrated how quickly climate disasters could disrupt healthcare access for pregnant women and newborns.
“Building disaster-ready, climate-resilient health centres—backed by localised planning and robust infrastructure—is a life-saving necessity. Through the IMPACT project, supported by the Government of Japan, UNFPA is committed to partnering with all tiers of government to ensure that proven adaptation models are sustained and replicated nationwide to safeguard every mother and newborn,” he said.
Ahead of the policy dialogue, UNFPA handed over medical supplies and essential equipment worth USD 100,000 to the Madhesh Provincial Government to strengthen disaster preparedness and response capacity. Procured with financial support from the Government of Japan, the supplies and equipment will also be distributed to five health facilities in Rautahat District to enhance emergency obstetric and newborn care.
Reaffirming the local government’s commitment to maintaining these standards, Ishnath Municipality Deputy Mayor Kaushalya Devi said uninterrupted healthcare for pregnant women and newborns during extreme weather required strong coordination among federal, provincial and local governments.
“The local government is fully committed to strengthening disaster preparedness, maintaining healthcare continuity, and ensuring these facilities remain operational when our communities need them most,” she said.
Since its launch in 2025, the Japan-funded IMPACT initiative has achieved several milestones in the climate-vulnerable districts of Jajarkot and Rautahat. These include comprehensive climate-risk assessments of 20 health facilities, the establishment of 10 model climate-resilient health facilities, and the development of nine climate-adaptive municipal action plans.
The evidence and lessons generated through the initiative provide a tested framework for the Government of Nepal and development partners to replicate climate-resilient health infrastructure across disaster-prone municipalities nationwide.
The Improvement of Maternal and Child Health Care Services and Adaptive Capacity in Nepal project is funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by UNFPA Nepal in Jajarkot and Rautahat districts.