Health Minister Calls for Autism Schools in All Provinces
Minister for Health and Population, Pradeep Paudel, has stated that autism schools are necessary in all seven provinces.
Receiving the study report submitted by a committee led by Prof. Dr. Deepak Prakash Mahar, formed to address autism treatment and prevention, he pointed out the immediate need to establish one autism school in each province at the initial stage. He added that the Ministry will move forward by developing it as a long-term project.
Autism School in Budhanilkantha
Minister Paudel informed that an autism school is being set up in Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu. He said the process of constructing the building has already begun on land located in Budhanilkantha–4.
For the operation of the autism school, a budget of NPR 30 million has been allocated for the current fiscal year. He also mentioned that Kathmandu Metropolitan City has shown interest, and the Ministry will coordinate with the city to move the project forward.
He explained, “In this year’s budget, we have allocated funds to build an autism school in Budhanilkantha Ward No. 4, where land is already available. The DPR is ready, and NPR 30 million has been set aside. Though not a large amount, it has been clearly included under a heading. We are working quickly, and Kathmandu will see its first organized autism school. The Mayor of Kathmandu has also shown willingness, and we will move ahead in coordination. Our goal is to establish one school in each of the seven provinces at the initial stage and later expand it as a long-term project.”
Lack of Data on Autism in Nepal
Minister Paudel also noted that Nepal does not yet have confirmed statistics on the number of children with autism.
