Primary healthcare

If the country maintains low infection levels through the year, Nepal will join the small group of nations that have defeated one of the world’s deadliest parasitic diseases as a public-health threat.

CSR cannot replace public healthcare investment, nor should it try to. But when aligned carefully with government priorities and community realities, it can support systems in ways that are practical and sustainable. That, in the long run, tends to matter more than high-profile but short-lived initiatives.

The crisis of Pakistan’s fake doctors is more than a regulatory failure; it is a stark reflection of healthcare inequities in one of the world’s most populous nations.

As India battles the latest Nipah virus cluster, health officials emphasise that vigilance, rapid response, and public cooperation will be critical to preventing a larger outbreak.

Late at night at the Khamarbari intersection, groups of nearly 40 displaced individuals –including many children – huddle around small fires made from burning scraps of wood and paper. The flickering flames offer fleeting warmth against the biting chill, but the bare pavement beneath them provides no cushion or protection. Children in thin, filthy sweaters shiver as they chat or try to sleep, their bodies pressed together for shared heat.

The holding centres often lack necessities like water and sanitation, and the people held there are lucky if they even receive two meals a day, as food stocks are often too low to supply enough meals. The need for blankets and winter kits is increasing.

Many households will meet minimum food needs only by depleting essential livelihood assets – a sharp deterioration compared with the previous year.

Sri Lanka faces a challenging road ahead: rebuilding damaged infrastructure, restoring health services, and ensuring clean water access are urgent priorities.