Nepal is a small country of 26 million people. Nepal shares its northern border with the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, and its other borders with India. Despite its position between the planet’s two most populous countries, Nepal has maintained a unique culture. It is the home of a multitude of distinct ethnic groups, each with its own rich traditions.

One third of the Great Himalayan Range lies in Nepal, and eight of the ten highest mountains on Earth are in Nepal or on its border. The mountainous area of Nepal is known throughout the world for spectacular trekking. On the other extreme, the plain in the south of the country known as the Terai is flat and subtropical. Kathmandu, the bustling capital city, has a profusion of ancient temples, and the presence of Hinduism and Buddhism is felt on every street. The population of capital city of Kathmandu is about 700 000, and 1.5 million people inhabit the Kathmandu Valley. In recent years, many Nepalis moved to the Kathmandu area from rural parts of Nepal to escape the Maoist insurgency. This rapid influx of people is putting a strain on the resources of the Kathmandu area, including the health care infrastructure.

Health care in Nepal
The recent termination of the conflict that plagued Nepal for a decade has brought new hope for the Nepali people. However, Nepal is still one of the most impoverished countries in the world. More than half of its people live below the poverty line, and one out of ten suffer from a disability. Millions of Nepalis do not have access to basic health services.

Learn what it’s like to be a patient in an ambulance in Nepal