Kathmandu, Aug. 12 -- Patients across Nepal are being deprived of essential vaccines, medicines and health supplements as prolonged procurement and supply problems leave government health facilities with depleted or empty stocks.

The shortages range from iron and folic acid supplements for pregnant women, new mothers and adolescent girls to anti-snake venom, which can mean the difference between life and death for people bitten by venomous snakes. Health facilities have also long reported shortages of anti-rabies vaccines, while the government has yet to vaccinate all vulnerable populations against Japanese encephalitis. This is particularly concerning as the peak monsoon season is ongoing, when the risk of JE and other mosquito-borne di...