The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were established in 2000 with the aim of eradicating extreme poverty, hunger, and disease, while promoting gender equality, education, and environmental sustainability by 2015. Nepal, like other developing countries, committed to achieving these goals. However, due to various challenges, Nepal was not able to achieve all of the MDGs by the deadline.
One of the MDGs that Nepal struggled to achieve was to reduce child mortality. The country's under-five mortality rate decreased from 121 per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 39 per 1,000 live births in 2015, which is a remarkable achievement. However, Nepal still lags behind the MDG target of reducing under-five mortality by two-thirds. Furthermore, there are significant disparities in under-five mortality rates across different regions of Nepal.
One of the significant problems that hinder Nepal's progress towards achieving the MDGs is its weak health infrastructure. Nepal's healthcare system is heavily dependent on foreign aid, and the country lacks adequate health facilities, skilled healthcare workers, and medical supplies. These deficiencies have resulted in poor health outcomes for Nepali citizens, especially in rural areas.
Another significant challenge that Nepal faced in achieving the MDGs was poverty. Poverty is widespread in Nepal, with more than one-third of the population living below the poverty line. Poverty is a significant barrier to achieving the MDGs, as it limits access to education, healthcare, and basic services. Additionally, poverty has led to a high prevalence of malnutrition, which contributes to Nepal's struggle to reduce child mortality.
In conclusion, while Nepal has made significant progress towards achieving the MDGs, several challenges have hindered its progress. The country's weak health infrastructure and widespread poverty have contributed to Nepal's struggle to reduce child mortality and achieve other MDGs. Despite these challenges, Nepal's commitment to the MDGs has led to notable progress in various areas, and the country continues to work towards achieving the goals.