Kathmandu, May 24 -- Institutional delivery rate in Nepal declined to 74 percent in the fiscal year 2024-25, a sharp decrease from 80 percent in the previous fiscal year.

Data from the Integrated Health Information Management System under the Department of Health Services, which monitors institutional deliveries nationwide, indicates a serious setback to previous gains.

"Yes, only about 74 percent of the deliveries were conducted by skilled birth attendants and skilled health providers in the fiscal year 2023-24 [2080/81 Nepali fiscal year]," said Nisha Joshi, a public health officer. "This data indicates an urgent need to address underlying issues."

Institutional delivery and delivery by skilled birth attendants or skilled health prof...