Kathmandu, Dec. 18 -- The Ministry of Health and Population has directed the Family Welfare Division under the Department of Health Services to prepare a detailed assessment so as to launch a mass immunisation drive against the Japanese encephalitis disease in 2026.

The ministry's move comes amid excessive death and severity rate from the deadly disease on the unvaccinated population.

"With the assessment report, we will also seek a budget for the campaign," an official at the department said, asking not to be named as he is not authorised to speak to the media. "We have tried our best to secure aid for the campaign, but no development partners have shown interest to finance the programme. We believe that it is the responsibility of the...