Covid-19 and Nepal’s Health Financing: Insights and recommendations based on local government response during full lockdown

Nepal’s constitution designates public health as a shared responsibility across government spheres, with primary healthcare and sanitation as exclusive local government functions. During Nepal’s Covid-19 full lockdown (March to June 2020), local governments led the frontline response. Prior to the end of full lockdown, in June, a research team surveyed local officials in 113 municipalities to understand health activity financing during lockdown, and to assess local needs and chart activities. The team also collected qualitative insights from provincial government officials.