Health budget slashed but risk of post-earthquake epidemics lingers

KATHMANDU, Jan 13: Health experts have claimed that the risk of major outbreak of epidemics persists up to two years after any disaster, like the magnitude 7.8 earthquake of April 25. They have suggested to the concerned authorities to take extra precaution to prevent a possible outbreak of epidemics and allocation of additional budget.

However, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) has slashed the regular budget of the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), clipping the wings of the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) of the Department of Health Services (EDCD).


"Instead of providing us an additional budget, the MoHP cut our regular budget," said Dr Baburam Marasini, director at the EDCD. He informed that the MoHP has cut Rs 200 million of the EDCD.

"We somehow succeeded to contain the cholera epidemic in the monsoon," said Dr Marasini, adding that the outbreak was dangerous as the disease had spread to the core of the capital city, where millions of people reside. At that time, the EDCD had mobilized health workers to the cholera-hit districts, including Nuwakot, to contain the disease.

The EDCD does not have additional budget and resources for the possible outbreak of epidemics. "We even do not have money to provide allowances to the doctors and health workers to mobilize them in the disease-hit districts."

Hundreds of people were infected by cholera in Kathmandu Valley and other quake-hit districts in the monsoon.

Currently, health workers in several quake-hit districts have been struggling to contain the swine flu viruses. According to Director Marasini, the EDCD has not been able to impart outbreak preparedness training to the health workers. The EDCD also does not have budget for the awareness campaign.

"We are just waiting for another catastrophe," Director Marasini said.

Secretary at the MoHP, Shanta Bahadur Shrestha, conceded that the budget of the EDCD has been cut in the ongoing fiscal year. "The overall health budget has been cut by the MoF, but we will not let the budget deficit foil our plans of containing the possible epidemics," claimed Secretary Shrestha. The MoHP had mobilized an MBBS doctor in every VDC of the quake-hit districts to prevent possible epidemics.

Several studies conducted by the government as well as by national and international social organizations in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake show that the quake-hit districts are highly vulnerable to epidemics and have suggested for precautionary measures. Health facilities of majority of the quake-razed districts have been demolished and people have also been deprived of pure water and proper sanitation.

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