Kathmandu, Aug. 4 -- The Ministry of Health and Population plans to recruit 36 staff nurses at federal and provincial health facilities to promote exclusive breastfeeding practices, which have been steadily declining over the years.

The move aims to fill the gap left by the termination of staff nurse positions, previously funded by USAID to promote exclusive breastfeeding, following the aid agency's closure.

Multiple crucial health care programmes in Nepal have been either affected or halted following the suspension of USAID funding.

"We don't have funds for other federal nutrition programmes, but we have allocated a budget to hire two staff nurses each in 18 federal and provincial hospitals to promote exclusive breastfeeding practices...