Miscellaneous
Budget for health sector up
The government has earmarked Rs40.56 billion for the health sector for the upcoming fiscal year, a 24 percent rise from the last fiscal. But its share of the total budget is only 3.8 percent, less than last year’s share.The government has earmarked Rs40.56 billion for the health sector for the upcoming fiscal year, a 24 percent rise from the last fiscal. But its share of the total budget is only 3.8 percent, less than last year’s share.
The budget has proposed establishing new medical colleges in each federal province. Work to establish medical schools in Bardibas, Surkhet and Butwal would begin this year.
For the One Village, One Doctor programme, the government plans to provide scholarships for students of the same village without making them sit for the national entrance test.
In the next three years, the government aims to provide the health insurance cover for the entire population. By next year, the programme currently being run in three districts will be extended to 25 districts. For this, the government has earmarked over Rs2 billion. Treatment for renal, liver and cancer diseases will be made free of cost. Journalists will also get 50 percent discount at government hospitals.
The government plans to procure medicines that are distributed free from domestic pharmaceutical companies. The finance minister has proposed extending healthcare services to rural districts through extended programmes of medical colleges.
Under this model, every medical college will be asked to choose its teaching district, where they will be responsible for delivering healthcare services.