About BNMT

The BNMT works under an agreement with the Government of Nepal in the following ten hill districts of eastern Nepal:

And in six Districts in the Terai lowlands:

The Organisation

The BNMT is governed by a Board of Trustees, based in the UK. It is composed of eleven members, the majority of whom have had field or advisory experience in Nepal. The Trustees have the ultimate responsibility for the organisation and approve policy and strategic direction, in consultation with the Chief Executive and the staff based in Nepal. The Administrator/Company Secretary is also based in the UK. The Chief Executive is responsible for the overall organisational management and the programmes which are run by the Nepalese staff, with advice and assistance from local and international experts.

The BNMT has developed to meet the changing demands it has encountered over the past 36 years.

It is recognised as a pioneer in the provision of essential drugs, in terms of procurement, supply, prescribing, cost sharing and local governance. It has played a significant role in the establishment of the National TB Centre, helped develop national policies and strategies and is currently supporting the implementation of these policies at regional and district levels. Through the implementation of its Community Health and Development Programme it has also been involved with reproductive health and motherhood, the control of diarrhoeal diseases and acute respiratory infections.

Since 2003 BNMT has moved from running three separate programmes to an integrated health improvement programme through: training and capacity building; people’s empowerment; advocacy and operational research and institutional development and strengthening. The Health Improvement Programme focuses on four key health areas, namely: TB and HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, locally endemic infectious diseases and essential drugs.

Each of BNMT’s current programmes works in direct partnership with the Government and communities by a process of mutual planning, development and implementation. At community level BNMT works with partners, including community groups, using participatory approaches designed to foster community empowerment.

During community health initiatives BNMT facilitators help groups to define their health issues and to develop plans that the community can implement.

These programmes appear to be acceptable to both sides in the current armed political conflict.

BNMT has always tried to ensure that its services and programmes are accessible to all members of the community. However, in an unequal society people are still unable to access health services for reasons of caste, extreme poverty and gender inequality. BNMT is therefore committed to exploring new and more effective ways of increasing access to services by the poorest and most marginalised peoples. A key programme objective is empowering communities to realise their right to health.

Read more about the history of BNMT