| 1978 |
Alma Ata Declaration1 |
Identified primary health care as the key to the attainment of the goal of Health for All. Declared that health is a human right and should be ensured by the government. |
| 1988 |
Female Community Health Volunteer (FCHV) program initiated2 |
Frequent meetings, structured procedures, FCHVs must live in the communities they serve. |
| 1991 |
National Health Policy3 |
Expansion of free (provided by the government) primary health care services, health posts in every ward, and focus on preventive, curative, and promotive health. |
| 1997 |
Long Term Health Plan (1997–2017)4 |
Aimed to guide health sector development, specifically for those whose needs are not often met; including women and children, the rural population, the poor, the underprivileged, and the marginalized population. |
| 2004 |
Health Sector Programme Implementation Plan (2004–2009)5 |
Overlaps with the Long Term Health Plan; has a stronger focus on reaching the poor and people living in remote areas. This strategy translates the policy implications from the LTHP into programmatic plans for implementation. |
| 2007 |
Interim Constitution6 |
States that every person has the right to basic health services, including vaccines. |
| 2007 |
Comprehensive Multi-Year Plan (cMYP) for the health sector (2007–2011)7 |
Goal: To reduce child morbidity, mortality, and disability associated with vaccine-preventable diseases. Addresses the weaknesses of Nepal health services through strategies to achieve routine coverage at 90% or greater for all districts and 85% or greater in all village development committees. |
| 2010 |
Kathmandu Declaration8 |
Eight countries from South Asia joined to agree on targets and strategies for improving mechanisms for ensuring human rights are accessible, which included collaboration among stakeholders, government, nonprofit organizations, and the community. |
| 2012 |
Full Immunization Program |
Focused on the delivery of all required vaccines to children under 15 months; after which the unit of government can be declared “fully immunized.” Full immunization is recognized in the media and through financial incentives for the community board. |
| 2011 |
Comprehensive Multi-Year Plan (cMYP) for the health sector (2011–2016)9 |
Developed as an extension of the cMYP of 2007–2011 to improve the health and nutritional status of the Nepali population by utilizing Nepal’s high-priority immunization program to introduce new vaccines, promote eradication and control of targeted vaccine-preventable diseases, and strengthen routine immunization. |
| 2015 |
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nepal10 |
Similar to the interim constitution of 2006 but published under the established government republic—guarantees health services as a fundamental right. |
| 2015 |
National Health Policy |
Revision of the 1991 policy; but guaranteed under the established government republic—focuses on free health services and increasing access. |
| 2016 |
Immunization Act11 |
Parliament oversees long-term financing methods for Nepal’s immunization program, including the government-mandate to “allocate adequate funding for immunization to the National Immunization Fund” and from the contributions of domestic private partners to a separate Sustainable Immunization Support Fund. |
| 2017 |
Comprehensive Multi-Year Plan (2017–2021)12 |
Aims to achieve nationwide full immunization, introduce new and under-used vaccines, and ensure financial sustainability for immunization. Highlights gap in funding for logistics, construction of vaccine stores, and introduction of new vaccines, and anticipates external funding to meet these needs. |
| 2018 |
Public Health Service Act13 |
Makes legal provisions to implement the right to free basic health services and emergency health services, and to establish access to regular, effective, easily available, and high-quality health care for all citizens. |
