Conflict and Health: Nepalese Experience

Conflict and Health: Nepalese Experience

Background:

Intrastate conflict has surfaced like never before, surpassing deaths and disabled tolls than those of Interstate conflict. During 1996-2006 AD Nepal passed through a similar phase of internal armed conflict.

Objectives and Methods:

The objective of paper was to review the mortality, morbidity among citizens during conflict in Nepal. Secondary data was collected and analysed. Ten years (1996-2006 AD) data for violence was collected-primarily from INSEC (a leading organisation in this field).

Results and Discussion:

Highest mortality (3356) reported in Mid-Western Region amongst 5 development region. Killing by state (8377) exceeds number of killed by Maoist (4970) in all development regions. Inequality of development is reflected as Central Region (20.43 % of total killings) and Mid-western region (36.36 % of total killings) outlining an uneven gap of 15.93 % in conflict mortality. Age group 15-45 sustained significant killing (8009) than other ages. A total of 13,347 people were dead and statuses of many people are still unknown. Mental health status worsened with prevalence of about 30 % increase in depression, post-traumatic stress. HIV epidemic shows sharp rise after 1996. Exact killings and injuries sustained to health workers of Nepal are not well stated. Interestingly, 78 % of staff positions in hospital, 75 % in primary health care centres (PHCCs), 96 % in health posts and 90 % in sub-health posts were filled during conflict. In-spite of violent conflict, Nepal made progress in 16 out of 19 health indicators over period 1996-2006.

Conclusion:

There is immediate need of medical treatment, mental health services for the people affected during conflict. Similarly, state needs to strengthen health services along with other social services as this peace process progresses to ensure sustainable peace.