Healthcare
Nepal spends 5.3% of gross domestic product on health, about $64 per person, and has 2 doctors of modern medicine per 10 000 population (compared to 1 GP for every 500 - 1000 in population in Australia).
70% of all medical issues are communicable diseases, i.e. infections. (In Australia about 80% is chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, smoking and alcohol related issues). Nepalese children suffer in particular with perinatal conditions, acute respiratory illnesses, diarrhoea and measles. The elderly have TB at disproportionately high rates. Women have issues with childbirth, pregnancy and burns. Overall the health indicators are poor and life expectancy is just over 60. Infant mortality (death in first year of life) is about 65 per 1000, 12 times higher than in Australia.
Immunization rates in 2005 in Nepal were actually reasonably respectable (around 83-89% for Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Tetanus and Whooping Cough, Measles and Polio). However coverage rates of 95% are required to eradicate these diseases. It is also likely that there is a sampling bias toward the populated areas, and that in more remote areas, with difficult or intermittent access to health services, the figures would be lower.
HDFA aims to improve access to health care for the mountain people of the Himalayas, to improve reliability and access to immunisation, maternal and child health care, assistance for chronic and acute illness and injury, and medicines and medical supplies.