Kathmandu, May 3

Presenting the policies and programmes of the government at the federal Parliament for the fiscal 2019-2020, President Bidhya Devi Bhandari stated that people from rural areas would not have to  visit the capital for specialist health services, as every  province hospital would ensure specialist services and every local  level would have a primary health centre with an on-duty doctor.

She said 24-hour basic health service would be provided at primary healthcare facilities through telemedicine, National Public Health Laboratory would be upgraded to National Diagnostic Centre, equipped with advanced technologies and advanced diagnostic centres would be established in seven provinces within three years.

“The government is also all set to implement a vaccination programme against human papillomavirus, which is the cause of most cervical cancer cases in the country,” the president said, adding that the provision for free health check-ups would be made to control breast cancer.

Bhandari said the government would also provide free sanitary pads to school girls.

According to the policies and programmes, the government will also launch a special campaign in communities where sickle cell anaemia is widespread. The president said the government had been planning to extend health insurance throughout the country within this year. Health insurance service will be made available from primary health care centres of local levels, she added.

Bhandari said Bir Hospital would be developed as an excellent centre meeting international standards and would provide all kinds of specialised services.

“Construction of a new building for Bir Hospital meeting international standards will begin in the new fiscal, added the president.