Overview
Evidence Informed Priority Setting for Universal Health Coverage in Nepal (EIPS4UHC Nepal) is a collaborative initiative between the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), Nepal Health Economics Association (NHEA), and Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS), implemented in partnership with the Bergen Centre for Ethics and Priority Setting in Health (BCEPS) at the University of Bergen (UiB).
Funded by NORAD, the project supports Nepal’s efforts to move towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by making health decision-making more evidence informed, equitable, and efficient.
The Vision
The project envisions a country where health resources are used wisely, decisions are based on robust evidence, and every citizen has access to basic health services, bringing the country measurably closer to achieving UHC.
The Goal
To strengthen the country’s ability to make fair, transparent, and evidence informed decisions on Basic Health Care Services (BHCS), improving availability, access, and coverage, and supporting the Government of Nepal (GoN) in the progressive realization of UHC.
Project objectives
Generate and synthesize evidence on the cost, availability, access, coverage, and effectiveness of BHCS interventions. This helps to guide national and sub-national decisions on how to improve the delivery of basic healthcare services.
In partnership with KUSMS, strengthen the country’s workforce through academic courses, degree programs, executive education, and professional training in health economics, equipping future leaders to use economic evidence in health planning.
Support continuous policy dialogue, provide analytical inputs, and strengthen decision makers’ capacity to use evidence. The project also promotes the use of the FairChoices DCP analytical tool to inform BHCS revisions and other health sector priorities.
Help establish the structures and processes needed for long-term, systemwide priority setting. This includes:
Team
Prof Shiva Raj Adhikari
Chairperson NHEA
Mahendra Bikram Shah
Thematic Lead
Jasmine Maskey
Senior Programme Coordinator
Sandeep Ale Magar
Finance and Administration Manager
Shradha Dhakal
Finance and Administration Officer
Santosh Chhetri
Knowledge Management Consultant
Achyut Raj Pandey
Research Fellow
Pratik Khanal
Research Fellow
Ravi Kanta Mishra
Research Fellow
Roadmap
Phase 1
Establish foundational structures, including the FairChoices Unit, analytical frameworks, and partnerships with MoHP.
Phase 2
Conduct research on priority BHCS interventions and facilitate continuous policy dialogue and evidence translation.
Phase 3
Synthesize findings, strengthen monitoring systems, and support the integration of EIPS into national planning and regulatory frameworks.
