Amidst the global corona pandemic, Nepal has got it’s new budget of 2077/78. Since it’s presentation on Jestha 15, hot discussion is taking place both in the parliament and out in eco-political sphere.
In order to reduce the health risk of people from corona epidemic and other infectious diseases, high priority has been given to develop quality health care infrastructures, medicines and equipments and expand the services of skilled doctors and health workers for the prevention, control and treatment of the disease. Hence, significant budget has been increased in the health sector.
To prevent further spread of corona infection, additional quarantine centers, including quality health check-ups, have been set up to increase the range of testing in high- risk areas and to provide reliable treatment services and address the psychological distress created among citizens.
A provision of Rs. 6 billion has been made to prevent shortage of urgently needed medical equipments and treatment materials for control and treatment of corona infection. Provision has been made to provide free health insurance up to Rs. 5 lakh to all health workers working against corona and other infectious diseases.
It is mentioned that, next year, a well-equipped 300-bedded infectious disease hospital will be constructed in Kathmandu Valley. Additional 250-bedded ICU beds will be set up in government hospitals in Kathmandu Valley and States’ Capital. 50- bedded infectious disease hospital will be operated in all the States Capital.
Pokhara and Karnali Institute of Health Sciences and Koshi, Narayani, Bharatpur, Bheri and Dadeldhura Hospitals will be upgraded and developed as specialist hospitals. 1 crore 24 lakhs 60 thousand rupees has been allocated for health infrastructure development.
Health insurance will be available to all citizens within three years and next year 40 percent of the population at all local levels will be covered. Health services other than basic health services will be gradually included in the health insurance program. 7 arab 50 crore rupees has been allocated for the health insurance program.
Free health check-ups will be conducted by all local level health institutions for safe maternity and reproductive health services and for the identification and treatment of deadly diseases such as breast and cervical cancer. Nutrition programs will be conducted from all health institutions. Necessary budget has been allocated for declaring Nepal a fully vaccinated country next year.
Budget has been allocated to expand the capacity of National Public Health Laboratory to bring it in line with international standards, to establish state-of-the-art health laboratories in all state capitals. To expand the laboratories required for treatment services in all the health institutions and to operate the disease diagnostic and pharmacy service and to establish health facilities with necessary equipments at the major entry points for compulsory health examination of persons coming from abroad.
4 arab 22 crore has been allocated for free treatment of deadly diseases and heart diseases of senior citizens and children , for running tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases and leprosy control programs.Arrangement has been made to provide free emergency health care to the poor and needy from the central hospital.
A medical superspeciality centre will be established under the Institute of Medical Studies of Tribhuvan University to provide teaching and training in nephrology and other complex diseases including urology. And an international standard national diagnostic center with skilled technical and modern equipment will be established to test all kinds of diseases including infections in the country.
A budget arrangement has been made to operate satellite and other service clinics with the services of specialist doctors in the local level health institutions of specialized hospitals including Sahid Gangalal National Heart Centre, Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hopital, Human Organ Transplant Centre, Kanti Children’s Hospital and Bir Hospital. And also to operate a reliable telemedicine service system for the patients in remote areas who do not have access to specialist health facilities.
Budget has been allocated for the development of infrastructures required to operate the displaced services of Manmohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Center, T.U. Teaching Hospital, B.P Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, G.P Koirala National Centre For Respiratory diseases, Sushil Koirala Prakhar Cancer Hospital, Ram Raja Prasad Singh Academy of Health Sciences and Bir Hospital.
ln addition to Sudrid Public Service, a clean and balanced diet, physical exercise, hygiene and healthy lifestyle will be encouraged to promote healthy Nepal. Health centers, gymnasiums and yoga centers will be run with the participation of local and community organizations to enhance the immune system and promote mental health, promoting alternative treatment methods including Ayurveda.
By effectively monitoring the services provided by the private sector hospitals, the government has made arrangements to use private sector health facilities in times of caIamity and epidemic. Arrangement has been made for the doctors of the privately run hospitals to provide specialist services in the district hospitals and local level health institutions.
Arrangements have been made for the Nepal Health Research Council to conduct research on infectious diseases, develop it as a competent body, expand the capacity of Nepal Aushadhi Limited and maintain control over the stock of essential medicines in health institutions.
Transportation costs have been doubled by continuing to provide free health insurance to the families of 52,000 women health volunteers across the country. Arrangements have been made to run sanitation, classical awareness and health insurance campaign by mobilizing women health volunteers in collaboration with local level, non- governmental organizations and community sector.
Budget has been allocated to develop Kanti Children’s Hospital as an excellent center for higher education by constructing infrastructure with additional ICU, to start pediatric heart treatment facility at Sahid Gangalal National Heart Center and to purchase equipments and construct health institution buildings.
Arrangements have been made to set up trauma centers in hospitals in the high accident areas of the highways. Patients can get ambulance service easily and conveniently by contacting the same phone number across the country.
A regional integrated umbrella act will be formulated to bring uniformity in the operation of health sector commissions, foundations, council research centers and hospitals.
Budget has been allocated to increase the number of health workers by reviewing the existing posts in the health service, to start preliminary work for the establishment of Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration and National Health Accreditation Authority.
(Dr Pokharel is an affiliated at Chitwan Medical College.)
