KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari said that studies and research on Ayurveda medical system could help promote and expand it at the international level.

Inaugurating the second summit of the health and population scientists organised here today on the occasion of silver jubilee of the Nepal Health Research Council, President Bhandari stressed that the achievement gained in health sector from research should be developed as the social heritages.

She said, "An arrangement for free basic health services to all Nepali people has been made in the new Constitution. The health services should be taken to the villages despite geographical difficulties as well as lack of transport service."

President Bhandari said that although the country achieved Millennium Development Goals related to health determined by the United Nations, there was no quality improvement in health of the Nepali women.

Similarly, Minister for Health, Ram Janam Chaudhary, pointed out that the Council and Nepal Agriculture Research Council should carry out the investigations regarding adulteration of food and bring the facts and truths out.

Minister Chaudhary said, "Medical tests have shown that many diseases are invited due to the mixture of inedible things in food. Fact and truth in this regard should be brought out after carrying out investigations and the government will support for the same."

Likewise, Vice-Chairman of the National Planning Commission, Yubaraj Khatiwada, said that at least eight per cent of the annual national budget would be allocated for health sector from next fiscal year.

Officiating Secretary at the Health Ministry Senendra Raj Upreti, Chairman of the Nepal Health Research Council Dr Krishna Prasad Adhikari and Member Secretary Khem Bahdur Karki demanded the increase of budget in health research.

More than 700 health and population scientists from the country and abroad are participating in the summit, which will conclude on Tuesday.