KATMANDU, June 16: The UK government has cut the aid budget it has provided to the public health sector in South Asian countries, including Nepal, as well as other countries at a time when the world is facing the COVID-19 pandemic.

The UK government cut its aid budget by around US $ 100 million, which it supported through the International Planned Parenthood Federation. Family planning associations from 141 countries around the world, including the Family Planning Association of Nepal (FPAN) are associated with the Federation.

With this, adolescents from marginalized communities, young people and women in these countries would now be deprived of sexual and reproductive health as well as projects related to the sexual and reproductive health sector will be closed in these countries.

FPAN Director Dr Naresh Pratap KC said that with the UK government’s decision to cut the aid budget, access projects implemented by the Federation have now reached the stage of closure.

About 120,000 people from marginalized and at-risk communities, especially areas of humanitarian disasters, will be directly affected by sexual and reproductive health problems.

Dr KC said FPAN will continue its sexual and reproductive health service until it has the means, resources and capacity.

US President Joe Biden recently decided to repeal the “Global Gag Rule” policy on sexual and reproductive health. Shortly after this move, the UK decided to cut its aid budget to South Asian countries in the public health sector.