Health sector: some new steps

By Mahima Devkota, Kathmandu, May 25: The government has come up with some new policies and programmes realted to the health sector in the policy and programme for the upcoming fiscal year (FY).

Unveiling the policies and programmes of the government for the upcoming fiscal year 2022/023 in the joint meeting of the federal parliament on May 24, President Bidya Devi Bhandari shared some new policies to strengthen health care services as well as to ensure the safety of medical personnel and staffs.

Focus on chronic, non-communicable disease

As the deadly COVID-19 was running havoc in the country, the focus of last year was on the prevention and control of communicable diseases, while this year, light has been shed on the management of chronic and non-communicable diseases as well.

The multi-sectoral action plan for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases is proposed for the upcoming fiscal year. The plan is to establish a citizen health campaign to reduce non-communicable diseases with the participation of people.

Rehabilitation, palliative, and counseling centers are proposed to be established in every province for differently able people including people suffering from chronic diseases. This was not included in the policies and programmes proposed for the current fiscal year.

Digitalization in the health sector

“Digitalization in the health sector”, has been proposed for the upcoming fiscal year which was not listed in the previous fiscal year.

The policies for the upcoming year are focused on digitalization which is an integrated electronic health information system that will be implemented in all hospitals to manage the health records of every citizen. Arrangements will be made for a mandatory audit of deaths in the hospital during medical treatment. 

Senior citizens, as well as the needs of women and children, have been focused on, that is providing specialized health services to senior citizens and providing free screening for cervical cancer as well as immunizing adolescents against cervical cancer. In all the local level health institutions, basic laboratory tests for people above 40 years have been included in the document.

Protection of health institutions, staff

Similarly, not only to service receivers, the plan for the upcoming fiscal year on the health sector has stepped up for service providers as well, that is, the plan to further strengthen for protection of health institutions, doctors, and health workers through strict implementation of existing laws.

In addition, there has been a slight update on the health insurance program as well. Integrating social health security programs are to be included in the health insurance program. Arrangements will be made to provide services from a single point by establishing social service units in all hospitals.

Specialized tests within the country

With the onset of COVID-19, testing and laboratories became the main tool to fight against diseases and early prevention of them. As a result, it is observed that the arrangements are proposed to make in the Central Public Health Laboratory, equipped with modern and well-equipped machines and technologies, and to conduct all kinds of specialized tests in the country.

Blood transfusion centers in all provinces

Similarly, it was announced that government-owned blood transfusion centers will be established in all provinces with participation and coordination.

Production of basic and life-saving medicines

Similarly, the focus for the upcoming fiscal year in the health sector is the production of basic and life-saving medicines, oxygen, vaccines, and medical products is being encouraged. Promoting export by reducing the production of manufacturing costs and export-oriented industries.

Concession in electricity tariff to medical industries

The government has announced to provide concession in electricity tariff to medical industries so that it will not exceed the average external energy trade rate and the supply of native medicine production will be cheap and accessible.

Two medical colleges in each and every province

Similarly, a new step has been forwarded for the upcoming fiscal year which is the provision of health nurses in community secondary schools in collaboration with provincial and local levels. In addition, a policy will be adopted to establish and operate at least two medical colleges in each province, while in the last fiscal year, the focus was to strengthen services in already existing medical hospitals and health posts.