As emphasized in the 2021 case study, quality health data are indispensable for strengthening Nepal’s health system, particularly to identify and address disparities experienced by marginalized sub-populations. The decentralized health system in Nepal results in fragmented data availability at all levels and challenges in channeling funds to the provinces and local levels. An assessment of data gaps for health-related SDGs has also shown significant limitations in disaggregated data to monitor equity and understand the health situation at local levels.
To address these challenges, GAVI, the Global Fund, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNAIDS, WHO and the World Bank have coordinated their activities and collaborated with the government of Nepal to strengthen routine data sources, vital statistics and population-based surveys, as well as to build capacity on data management at national and sub-national levels. The activities aim to make available accurate and quality data on births, deaths and access to and utilization of health services, disaggregated by equity stratifiers at each level. This will allow sub-national levels to have greater autonomy in decision-making and better target health interventions to those most in need.