Karnali's nutrition crisis deepens as fortified flour programme halts abruptly

Nutrition programmes in Karnali Province face severe setbacks after the government halted free fortified flour distribution this fiscal year. Officials cite budget shortages as the reason for suspending a scheme that once received Rs50 million annually. The move has raised concerns about rising undernutrition in a region already struggling with child stunting. The fortified flour programme, which provided essential nutrients to vulnerable groups, stopped this year due to funding cuts. Lila Bikram Thapa, head of the Nutrition Section, confirmed no budget exists to restart it in the next fiscal year. This suspension may reverse years of progress in Karnali, where over 30% of children under five remain stunted—the highest rate in Nepal.

Experts warn that the lack of sustainable planning and overreliance on donors have left healthcare programmes in crisis. Dr Shyam Raj Upreti, former director general of the Department of Health Services, noted that the mid-day meal initiative was approved for just six months with donor funds, without a long-term strategy. Such short-term fixes have become common, leaving critical services unstable. The Nepal Demographic and Health Survey-2022 showed stunting rates among under-fives dropping from 57% in 2001 to 25% in 2022. But nutrition specialists fear recent budget cuts could erase these gains. Without consistent funding, Karnali’s children risk worsening malnutrition, undermining decades of effort.

The halt in fortified flour distribution highlights deeper issues in Nepal’s nutrition policies. Without reliable budgets, programmes remain vulnerable to sudden cuts, threatening hard-won improvements. Officials and experts agree that sustainable funding is essential to prevent further declines in child health across Karnali Province.