Kathmandu, May 10

Nepal aims to achieve all the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Among them, doctors and the pharmacists are confident about achieving the third goal of ‘Good Health and Well-being’.

During an interaction on ‘Role of doctors in implementing SDG III in Nepal’ organised by United Nations Youth and Students Association Nepal here today, Dr Arjun Karki, former vice chancellor of Patan Hospital, said Nepal could easily achieve the goal as it had the capacity to produce enough doctors.

“The country has been producing nearly 2,000 doctors, 500 to 600 dentists and many more nurses and health assistants every year. The number will increase with the passing of time and we can effectively manage human resources in the health sector,” he informed.

Stating that doctors and pharmacists should also value human sentiments, he said the government should focus on increasing people’s access to health care.

President of Association of Pharmaceutical Producers of Nepal, Sankar Ghimire, informed 60 per cent of medicine available in the market was produced by domestic pharmaceutical companies. “However, there are irregularities in the pricing of medicines. This must be stopped. In addition, doctors should provide their services not only in the cities but also in the rural areas.”