The Britain Nepal Medical Trust,Moving Forward
Since it first started its work in 1967, BNMT has significantly contributed towards strengthening Nepal’s health service delivery through various interventions and it has established itself as a well recognised and credible organisation at the community, national and international levels. BNMT has contributed significantly in formulating policies, developing effective implementation modalities in tuberculosis control, community drug schemes, and safe motherhood. BNMT’s work experience in the rights-based approach has empowered communities in demanding services as their rights while, simultaneously; the capacity of the service providers has been enhanced.
In line with the Government of Nepal’s Development Cooperation Policy, at the organisational level, BNMT has moved from being an expatriate-led organisation, to a Nepalese-led organisation. BNMT has also moved to get stronger Nepalese participation in governance with a number of Nepalese Trustees. While none of these transitions have been seamless, they have transformed BNMT and have contributed significantly to BNMT maintaining relevance in modern Nepal.
In line with this, the Nepalese NGO, the Birat Nepal Medical Trust (BNMT Nepal), was established in 2011. The underlying reason behind the establishment of BNMT Nepal is to ensure that the long-term vision and values of the Britain Nepal Medical Trust are embedded into the future. Over this strategic period, we will ensure the successful transition of the major implementation work to BNMT Nepal and at the end of this strategic period, we hope to see a clear separation between the Nepalese NGO, Birat Nepal Medical Trust (BNMT Nepal) which will be responsible mostly for programme implementation and fundraising within Nepal, and the UK Based Britain Nepal Medical Trust which will still continue its work in fundraising and awareness raising at an international level.
Strategic Focus – Goals for 2014-2019
In this strategic period the main focus will continue to be on health and other social determinants of the most vulnerable populations of Nepal. This will be achieved through achieving the following goals:-
- To scale-up existing programmes
- To invest in new, innovative approaches in the areas of nutrition, food security and livelihoods.
- To expand our geographical reach, bringing our Integrated Health Improvement Programme to more communities.
- To build communities’ resilience to the effects of climate change, the environment and disasters on human health.
- To foster partnerships and linkages between British and Nepalese academia on a range of areas, focusing on poverty and health.
Current and Future Challenges
Nepal is going through a transitional period, politically, socially, and in relation to the epidemiological transition in non-communicable diseases. In addition, within this strategic period the initial term of the Millennium Development Goals will come to an end (2015).
BNMT is aware and capable of adapting to political changes and possible decentralization of the government structure within Nepal and is working with stakeholders to develop “post-MDG” strategies, which include the sustainability and strengthening of achieved MDG targets as well as new, pertinent areas of Sustainable Development.