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Nepal Health Economics Association (NHEA)(Registered under NGO Act.2034 Article 4)Introduction: Nepal is among the least developed countries with a per capita income of around US$200.The population is growing at a rate of 2.1% per year. Nearly 50%of the total population lives below the poverty line. In term of human development Nepal ranked 22nd from the bottom out of 175 countries. It reflects low level of literacy, life expectancy at birth as well as high infant mortality rate and poor access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. Although most health indicators have shown significant improvement in recent years, there is a long way to go even to reach South Asian average. Government spending on health is extremely low in Nepal and accounted for 3.7% of total expenditure and 0.7% of GDP in 1995/96. Government per capita health expenditure was estimated at around US$2.00 on 1994/95.Though health has been identified as basic human need, the above figures reveal the fact that a large segment of population still remains to be denied of many basic health care facilities. Nevertheless, Nepal, as Member State of WHO is committed to provide basic essential health care through primary health care approach. .International and national health organisations are supportive of this goal. For this to happen, His Majesty's Government of Nepal has to continue to strive harder to provide an efficient, cost-effective health service with assurance of quality in care with due attention to the issues of equity, gender sensitivity, human rights and social justice. Nepal Health Economics Association ( NHEA ) has been established in May,1998 as an independent, non-profit, non-political, professional organization to assist His Majesty's Government towards achievement of its health goal. Objectives The main objectives of the Association are: 1. To promote understanding, coordination and networking among governmental, non-governmental and private organisations and individuals concerned with research and training programmes on health economics, 2. To strengthen institutional capability on exchange of information, human resources development, study and research , 3. To encourage the use of the principles of health economics towards formulation and implementation of long-term health plan and national health policy, 4. To assist sector agencies in health specially the Ministry of Health on the above as and when necessary. Scope of Work 1. Collection of information documents, publications, reference materials on different aspects of health and economics, 2. Dissemination of information on health economics activities and function as a clearing house, 3. To organize meetings, conference, training, seminars and other educational activities and publish reports, monographs etc. 4 To foster cooperation and coordination with national and international organisations with similar objectives, 5. To explore and generate financial and technical resources from national, international and bilateral organisations and individuals to carry out its activities. To accomplish the above, the Association amongst others, would facilitate the collection and analysis of data for national health accounting, cost analysis of health sector, assess demand and supply situation on preventive, promotive and curative health services, study on cost effectiveness, impact evaluation, quantitative modeling analysis on health care services etc. The association would provide assist the Ministry of Health for use and application of Health Economics on resource allocation to implement National Health Policy and Long Term Health Plan Strategy and wish to foster partnership in human resources development. NHEA would encourage the Ministry of Health and its departments and units, and International and national NGO's in the development of Health Economic Indicators to tie with changing National Macro Economic Indicators. The Association would make all out effort to assist Organizations, Researchers, Educational Institutions and individuals interested in carrying out research projects, conduct studies and bring out publications on Health Economics and Health Care Financing. Management Committee President Dr. Badri R. Pande Public Health Specialist Vice-President Dr. Pushpa Lal Joshi Population Expert General Secretary Mr. Kiran Dev Pant Economist Treasurer Mr. Chiranjibi B. Thapa Health Education Specialist Member Mrs. Meera Arjyal Economist Member Dr. Yagya B. Karki Demographer Member Mr. Shreebatsa P. Shrestha Public Health Specialist Member Mr. Babu Ram Shrestha Health Economist Member Mr. Devi P. Prasai Health Economist Contact Address: Nepal Health Economics Association, GPO Box: 13952, Kathmandu, Nepal. Fax/Phone :977-1-373054 E-mail: neil@ccsl.com.np |