Kathmandu, April 18 -- Until a few months ago, many health facilities across the country faced a critical shortage of family planning products, especially Depo-Provera, a birth control shot, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and condoms, among other things. Health authorities had requested the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for those commodities to address the critical shortage.

Although there is currently no shortage of contraceptives at present in health facilities, officials say existing stocks may not last long since both major aid agencies and the government are reducing the budget for the family planning programmes.

"The Ministry of Health and Population used to allocate Rs250 million to purchase contraceptives, but the ceiling...