Kathmandu. The Government of Nepal and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance have held high-level discussions on strategic cooperation from 2027 to 2030. Minister of Health and Food Hygiene Nisha Mehta and a team led by Gavi’s Senior Manager for Nepal Nilgun Aydogan discussed the next four years of vaccine support, co-financing and financial sustainability of the programme.

In the meeting, Gavi has proposed to provide vaccines worth $39.6 million and cash grant of $18.06 million to Nepal for the coming period. Likewise, discussion was also held on the issue of co-financing of USD 17.1 million for Nepal under the proposed assistance.

The collaboration between Nepal and Gavi started in 2001. Over the past 25 years, Gavi has provided vaccines worth more than $550 million to Nepal, strengthening cold chain infrastructure and health systems.

Currently, Gavi has been co-investing in five of the 11 vaccines provided by the Government of Nepal through the National Immunization Program and has been providing one type of vaccine free of cost. Gavi has been supporting regular immunization as well as conducting various immunization campaigns through the National Immunization Programme under the Family Welfare Division.

The meeting also dwelt on how to sustain Nepal’s national immunization programme in the context of dwindling development assistance and financial resources worldwide.

On the occasion, the representatives of Gavi appreciated Minister Mehta’s leadership in the national immunization program and the progress made by Nepal in the field of immunization and pledged to provide continuous support in the days ahead.