Ministry Announces Free Health Services

The Ministry of Health and Population on Friday announced free health services in emergency and in-patient departments of all the district hospitals and primary health care centres that have at least 25 beds.

Releasing the major health programmes for this year in a press conference at Health Ministry, Dr Mahesh Maskey, advisor to Health Minister, said the free health programme would be expanded to smaller hospitals next year. He said the government has allocated Rs 5 crore for the programme this year.

To reduce the scarcity of doctors in health institutions, the government also announced that around 150 doctors who graduated under the government scholarships would have to serve in primary health care centers and district hospitals, informed Dr Maskey. For this purpose the government has allocated Rs 2 crore to provide incentives to such doctors.

The ministry also announced to provide health insurance to the families of those who lost their lives during Jana Andolan II. It has allocated Rs 10 lakh for the programme. Rs 50 lakh has been allocated for the treatment and support of those who were seriously injured in Jana Andolan II.

Presenting the 10-point concept paper of operating policy and programme of MoHP, health minister Amik Sherchan said special measures would be taken to avail necessary resources needed for the health services. "The health budget will be increased as that of other social welfare sectors by curtailing the palace and the Nepal Army's budget," said Sherchan.

"The government will check financial irregularities and corruption and ensure effective use of the budget," said Sherchan.

Stressing on creating conducive environment for the doctors and the health professionals, Sherchan said transfers and postings should be unbiased and should be be based on the academic qualification. Dr Nirakar Man Shrestha, chief specialist at MoHP said the government is planning to create postings as per the employees' record from September.

Shrestha also informed that three gazetted-officer-level doctors who could not perform their duties properly and denied to go to the designated areas were sacked this month, while nine nurses were posted to various districts.