KATHMANDU: Primary Health Care Restoration Division under the Department of Health Service has been revitalised with the objective of providing basic health care facilities to the rural populace.

Giriraj Mani Pokhrel, Minister for Health and Population said that a new health policy was the need of the hour. The new policy would ensure the supply of essential medicines to primary health care centres.

Highlighting the need for coordination between the community members and the government agencies, he maintained that the new government should continue to provide free health services as initiated by the Maoists. Assuring that the Ministry of Health was committed to providing basic medical equipment in district and zonal hospitals across the country, he also urged the government to introduce incentive packages for medical professionals serving in remote districts.

Minister Pokharel also informed that that the international donor agencies were ready to offer financial assistance of about Rs 11 billion.

He also said implementation of the policies was the major challenge.