Nepal aims to boost cataract surgeries, school screenings by 2030
KATHMANDU, APRIL 30
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli announced on Tuesday that eye health services will be integrated into Nepal's national health insurance programme.
Speaking at the inauguration of the international conference 2030 In Sight Live Nepal, organised by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and other health organisations, PM Oli reaffirmed the government's commitment to strengthening primary healthcare and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He highlighted eye health as a government priority, particularly for those at risk of vision loss, and cited the 2022 Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness survey as a key influence in shaping national policy.
The Prime Minister also noted that the National Health Sector Strategy aims to expand cataract surgery coverage from the current 35–45 percent to 75 percent by 2030. He called for stronger global cooperation, stressing that no country can achieve eye health goals alone.
Oli further outlined initiatives such as school-level eye screenings and nursing programmes, which he said contribute to promoting gender equity and access to education.
