Ungass Country Progress Report

Abstract

Executive summary: The epidemic in Nepal is driven by injecting drug use and sexual transmission. There are numerous social, economical and cultural factors that drive the injecting and sexual behaviours among various most-at-risk groups. Given the nature of Nepal’s concentrated HIV epidemic the focus of the response has been maintained with prevention programmes targeting most-at-risk-populations. Over the period, care support and treatment programmes for People Living with HIV and AIDS have also expanded significantly. Most recent estimates of people living with HIV show that 41% of all HIV cases in Nepal are among seasonal labour migrants, 16% among clients of sex workers and 21% are wives or partners of HIV positive men. Figures indicate a prevalence of 0.48% in the adult population in Nepal. The responses in the country have progressed fairly steadily despite political instability. Policy and strategy development has been reasonably good. The “Three- year Interim Plan” has accorded HIV high priority. Besides, policies like National Drug Policy, Workplace Policy were also developed in this reporting period. There is significant progress in putting the “three ones” principle in place. The formation of Semi Autonomous Entity with the mandate to develop policy and increase multisectoral engagement will further strengthen national response. Recent data and information clearly indicate a number of positive trends in the response to the epidemic. Supreme Court has been proactive in guaranteeing the human rights of sexual minorities and disadvantaged group. It has issued directive order to the government to introduce law that provide equal rights to LGBTI as well as mandatory order to maintain confidentiality on all court proceedings and hearing of cases related to girl trafficking, rape, HIV and AIDS related and sexual violence.