Kathmandu—Health and Population Minister Dr. Sudha Sharma Gautam held a courtesy meeting today with His Excellency Maeda Toru, the Ambassador of Japan to Nepal. The meeting focused on strengthening health cooperation between Nepal and Japan, the ministry said.

During the discussion, Minister Dr. Gautam expressed deep gratitude for Japan’s long-standing support to Nepal, particularly during critical times such as the earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic. She also thanked Japan for its contributions to the development of infrastructure at key hospitals, including Kanti Children’s Hospital, Bir Hospital, and Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.

Minister Gautam highlighted Nepal’s health priorities and presented the country’s agenda, emphasizing maternal and child health, mental health, health insurance, enhancing the testing capacity of the National Medicine Laboratory, and safeguarding the health of Nepalese workers in Japan. She expressed hope that bilateral cooperation in these areas would continue to strengthen.

Ambassador Toru reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting Nepal’s health infrastructure, particularly in expanding the capacity of the National Medicine Laboratory and promoting health services, testing, and treatment for Nepalese workers in Japan.

Both sides expressed confidence that past successful cooperation can be further strengthened, paving the way for new projects and partnerships in the health sector.