KATHMANDU: U.S. Ambassador to Nepal, Randy W. Berry, along with Health Minister Hridayesh Tripathi inaugurated the first-ever Nepal Health Conclave today in Kathmandu.

Part of a Civic Engagement Project (CEP) of the U.S. Embassy’s Youth Council (USYC), the event convened policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from the public health sector to discuss opportunities, challenges, and ways forward for improving health service delivery and increasing everyone’s access to quality health care in Nepal, especially in the context of a global pandemic.

Inaugurating the event, Ambassador Berry said, “The Health Conclave will help create a better understanding among stakeholders, as the world fights this unprecedented pandemic.”

He added that it is crucial that governments, businesses, NGOs, and civil society come together to develop common solutions and share responsibility in the response.

“I hope this forum, which is bringing some of Nepal’s best and brightest minds in public health to the same table, will result in innovative ideas and commitments that will help Nepal safeguard itself against future challenges,” he added.

One of the US Mission’s most successful programs, the U.S. Embassy Youth Council is a forum created by the Embassy to increase youth civic participation in Nepal.

Through ongoing mentorship, Embassy personnel champion 50 young Nepali leaders, from across the country, to design and implement CEPs.

The event featured four sessions: Health Literacy – Agenda for All, COVID-19 pandemic and SDGs, Deconstructing Health Policy, and The Role of Mainstream Media for Healthier Nepal with some of Nepal’s best and brightest minds from the public health sector.

The USYC, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Population and Trikal Productions, organized the event which will be produced as upcoming television program episodes.