Minister for Health Gagan Kumar Thapa has said ensuring people’s access to quality health service is his first priority. 

Addressing the ‘Joint Annual Review Meeting’ of donors in the health sector and other stakeholders on Tuesday, Minister Thapa said problems like lack of medicines and equipment and specialist doctors at health facilities will be gradually addressed. 

“Quality health service has been the focus in the restructuring of the health sector as per the new federal structure,” he said. “Work is also being done to introduce new policies for providing quality service and amending existing legislations.” 

Minister of State for Health Taraman Gurung said the health sector has not made progress in commensurate with the investment made. “Expensive medical treatment is only adding financial burden on the people,” he said. 

National Planning Commission member Geeta Bhakta Joshi, Chief Secretary Som Lal Subedi and Health Secretary Dr Senendra Raj Upreti also underscored the need to increase people’s access to quality health service.