Healthy Nepal: Healthy People (Health Budget 2082/83)
To promote a healthy lifestyle, including clean food, yoga, meditation, exercise, and positive thinking, the 'Healthy Nepal' campaign will be implemented. Free, accessible, and quality basic health services will be made available to all citizens. Investment will be increased in skilled manpower, modern equipment, and infrastructure to expand specialized healthcare services.
Restructuring of the Health Insurance Program
The health insurance program will be restructured. Legal provisions will be effectively enforced and the program’s coverage expanded. The insurance benefits will be gradually increased. The Social Health Security Program will be integrated into health insurance. Insured individuals will have the option to choose from different policies. Duplication will be eliminated, leakages controlled, and institutional governance improved. Insurance coverage for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, Dalits, the ultra-poor, and minority communities will continue. Rs. 10 billion has been allocated for the program. Remaining payment claims will be reviewed by a third party and settled within this fiscal year.
Expansion of Specialized Services for Non-Communicable Diseases
Specialized services for diagnosis and treatment of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, kidney, liver, and cancer will be expanded with skilled doctors and modern equipment. Heart and cancer treatment services will be extended to all seven provinces. Intensive screening for non-communicable diseases will be conducted in the month of Falgun.
Supply and Record of Free Medicines
The supply of free medicines provided through basic health service centers and basic hospitals will be ensured. A system will be implemented to keep records and publish the distributed medicines on the website. Rs. 2.06 billion has been allocated for this purpose.
Preparedness for Epidemics and Infectious Diseases
Budget has been arranged for effective preparedness and response to health emergencies caused by infectious diseases and epidemics, including control of dengue and other vector-borne diseases. Advanced technology will be adopted for diagnosis and treatment of sickle cell anemia, which is a severe health issue in the Tharu community.
Specialized Burn Treatment Units in Every Province
Specialized burn treatment departments will be established in one government hospital in each province to provide quality burn care within the country. A modern burn ICU unit will be expanded at Bir Hospital.
Grants for Key Hospitals and Service Expansion
Capital grants have been arranged to improve the services and quality of Kirtipur Burn Hospital, Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu Institute of Child Health, Tilganga Eye Centre, and Rana Ambika Eye Hospital.
Completion of Basic Hospital Construction
Construction of ongoing basic hospitals will be completed. Operational management of completed hospitals will be done in collaboration with local levels and communities. Rs. 11.24 billion has been allocated for this purpose.
Expansion of Telemedicine and Digital Health
Telemedicine and digital health services will be expanded for all citizens to easily access healthcare. Robotic technology and artificial intelligence will be used for advanced healthcare delivery.
Infrastructure for Advanced Medical Education and Services
Budget has been allocated to develop infrastructure, equipment, and human resources at Bir Hospital for international-level medical education and advanced healthcare. Kanti Children’s Hospital will be developed as a center of excellence in child health services.
Free Cancer Screening and Treatment Programs
Free screening programs for cervical and breast cancer, and uterine prolapse will continue. HPV vaccination for girls and free cancer treatment for children under 14 have been allocated dedicated funding.
Maternal and Child Health Safety Programs
To protect the lives of pregnant women, new mothers, and newborns, Rs. 13.82 billion has been allocated for the Safe Motherhood Program, Golden Thousand Days initiative, and the Social Health Security Program for the poor. Services for identifying, treating, and rehabilitating children with autism and intellectual disabilities will begin in all provinces.
Mental Health Counseling and Neurosciences Center
Mental health problems will be addressed through psychosocial counseling and awareness programs. The capacity of the Mental Hospital in Lagankhel will be expanded. A National Neuroscience Center will be established in central hospitals of Kathmandu Valley for quality treatment of brain, spinal, and nerve diseases.
Upgrade of National Public Health Laboratory
The National Public Health Laboratory in Teku will be upgraded to an international-level facility capable of testing all types of samples. Infrastructure, equipment, and personnel will be arranged to end the need to send test samples abroad.
Promotion of Alternative Medicine Systems
Alternative treatment systems such as Ayurveda, naturopathy, homeopathy, acupuncture, and Amchi medicine will be promoted. Production capacity of Singha Durbar Vaidyakhana will be expanded. A National Ayurveda Panchakarma Yoga Service Center will be brought into operation. The Citizen Health Program will be expanded to all local levels.
Regulation and Quality Control of Medicines
Regulatory capacity will be enhanced to ensure the availability of quality medicines at affordable prices. The capacity of the National Drug Laboratory will be strengthened to test all types of medicines. Domestic production of essential medicines will be facilitated.
Implementation of National Population Policy
The National Population Policy will be implemented to utilize demographic dividends for development and prosperity. To address the trend of “development uphill, people downhill,” opportunities for production and employment in rural economies will be created. Migration will be managed, and population growth will not be allowed to fall below the replacement level.
Total Allocation for the Ministry of Health and Population
Rs. 95.81 billion has been allocated for the Ministry of Health and Population.
