Impact of Parental Migration on Health of Left Behind Children

After the adoption of liberal economic policy, Nepal entered into the international work force market. Human resource moves abroad seeking for employment opportunities. The globalization of workforce on one hand benefit to the country with a huge amount of inward remittance and on the other brings different bi-products in the country. The physical and emotional effects on the left-behind children [LBC] have come on the forefront as a burning issue. Absence of parents in the family has resulted in children’s sedentary and complicated life as well.

However, health-related problems such as cough or respiratory difficulties and diarrhoea have been a major concern among the LBC. The absence of guardians results in nutritional problems such as height / weight for the age. Out of the parents, mother’s migration results in severe consequences. It does not only have an effect on children’s basic immunization and breastfeeding, but also effects on personal hygiene and sanitation. However, affordability of better diet, fancy outfits and health care facilities has been available to LBC with their growing access to remittance.