GlobalPost reports on President Barack Obama’s Global Health Initiative (GHI) in Nepal, one of eight GHI focus countries, and examines whether “a long-standing U.S. law” that “prohibits U.S. funds from being used for abortion services overseas for the purpose of family planning … is hurting its efforts to improve health care” in the country. 

Though abortion services have been available in Nepal’s government hospitals and private clinics since it was legalized in 2002, “health advocates say there is still a serious need for awareness and education about the change in law, the dangers of medical imposters and where to go for a safe procedure,” GlobalPost reports. “Nearly all experts here — with the notable exception of those employed by the U.S. government — publicly state that the best way to improve maternal health is by offering a wide range of services that includes more awareness about and access to safe abortion,” GlobalPost writes. “Still, USAID officials in Nepal argue that it can help the country boost its maternal health without offering safe abortion services,” according to the news service. With the exception of abortion services, GHI in Nepal supports a broad range of maternal health services (Win, 8/25).