Kathmandu, January 23

The government is preparing to establish healthcare centres in all wards of local levels.

As many as 1,200 wards do not have healthcare centres in the country. The Ministry of Health and Population has sent the details of such wards and budget to the provincial governments to establish healthcare centres.

During the half-yearly performance review of the Ministry of Health and Population, Health Secretary Dr Pushpa Chaudhari shared that the government was preparing to appoint doctors in all wards on contract basis. In the same way, construction of a 15-bed hospital in all local levels will begin within the current fiscal.

The government is also preparing to launch health insurance policy at 118 local levels, while it has already started the programme at 340 local levels.

Secretary Chaudhari informed that the government was also planning to establish trauma centre in all provinces. “We are in the process of buying drugs required for the treatment of HIV positive patients,” said Chaudhari.

The Cabinet has already decided to convert Koshi Zonal Hospital, Narayani Sub-regional Hospital, Bharatpur Hospital, Bheri Zonal Hospital and Dadeldhura Sub-regional Hospital as tertiary level hospitals with specialised services.

Likewise, the report states that in the sector of formulation of act and policies, Public Health Act and Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Right Act have already been passed.

The government is also preparing to formulate regulations under these acts. The Ministry of Health and Population has also prepared National Nursing and Midwifery Policy.