Nepal to seek more aid at World Health Assembly

The Nepalese government will appeal to the international community for more assistance to cope with the aftermath of the massive April 25 earthquake that claimed over 8,000 lives, media reported on Monday.

Minister for Health and Population Khaga Raj Adhikari, who is leading a Nepalese delegation to participate in the 68th World Health Assembly to be held from May 18 to 26 in Geneva, told the Himalayan Times newspaper that Nepal would draw the attention of the international community to the situation in the country.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) requested the Nepalese government not to look for any other option but for the health minister to put forward the issues of Nepal in the wake of the 7.9-magnitude quake and its powerful aftershocks, Adhikari, who is expected to return to Nepal on Wednesday, said.

"The government of Nepal will use this forum to highlight the plight of the country in the aftermath of the disaster and appeal to the international community for more support in the fight against potential outbreak of epidemics and in rebuilding the health institutions fully or partially destroyed by the tremors," said the minister.

As many as 355 public health facilities were destroyed, while 363 others were partially damaged due to the earthquake and its aftershocks, Xinhua news agency reported citing the ministry of health and population.

The Nepalese government is in immediate need of over $39 million to reconstruct or repair the buildings of health institutions, Adhikari said.