Madhes Minister Jaiswal stresses joint effort to improve human development index

By Dharbendra Jha 

Janakpurdham, Aug. 9: Madhes Province’s Minister for Sports and Social Welfare, Pramod Jaiswal, has said that the current status of the Human Development Index (HDI) in Madhes Province is not satisfactory and emphasised the need for a collective effort to improve it.

Speaking at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)'s semi-annual review programme held on Thursday in Janakpurdham, the capital of Madhes Province, Minister Jaiswal said that despite Madhes being geographically accessible, the HDI in the region remains dismal, a situation that calls for joint responsibility and concerted action.

He highlighted that the provincial government has enacted laws and launched various programmes aimed at ending harmful social practices such as dowry and child marriage, which are still prevalent in the region. 

Minister Jaiswal acknowledged significant contributions of development partner organisations in supporting these initiatives.

Stressing the importance of contributions from all sectors in the field of social development, he added that the provincial government is also implementing programmes to support those forced to live in inhumane conditions.

Minister Jaiswal further added that infrastructure development alone would not bring prosperity. “There is now a pressing need to work for the transformation of society by addressing the concerns of marginalised, oppressed, and discriminated communities.”

He noted that recent administrative shortcomings have led to public frustration, but insisted that such shortcomings should not call the entire system into question.

The semi-annual review programme was attended by Narendra Mishra, Head of UNFPA Madhes Province, Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Population Dr. Pramod Yadav, and Secretary of the Ministry of Sports and Social Welfare Ranjit Kumar Yadav, among others. 

They highlighted that primary healthcare services fall under the jurisdiction of local governments and called upon local representatives to pay more attention to this responsibility.

During the programme, UNFPA held discussions with stakeholders on the achievements from various activities carried out in 17 municipalities of Madhes Province over the past six months, as well as plans for the upcoming period leading into 2025.