All is not well with health sector: Minister Khapung

BY A STAFF REPORTER,Kathmandu, Nov. 30: Minister for Health and Population Bhawani Prasad Khapung has said that no changes had been seen in the health sector. He said that he was not able to work as expected and added that there was a need for further improvement in the health sector.

Addressing the 'National Joint Annual Review' organised by the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) held here on Monday, Minister Khapung said that he did not contest the election due to the unstable political situation in the country. 

"People's expectations are high, it is not possible to work according to people's expectations," he said. 

Minister Khapung said that even now the discussion about who will form the government has started and he claimed that the current election results would not benefit the country.

He said that there are still many citizens who cannot get treatment after getting sick, and healthcare is not accessible to poor citizens. 

Although citizens get some relief in kidney treatment, the concession given to poor citizens in cancer and heart disease is not sufficient, he added. 

Dr. Roshan Pokharel, secretary of the MoHP, said that the facilities given to the poor patients for the treatment of heart and cancer are less than adequate. 

At present, poor citizens are getting health facilities worth Rs. 100,000 for cancer and heart disease treatment.

Dr. Dipendra Raman Singh, Director General of the Department of Health Services, said that the goals, indicators and strategies taken by set are being fulfilled.

Uma Shankar Prasad, Member of the National Planning Commission, said that the health sector should not only be linked with treatment but should be linked with the economy of the nation. 

He said that there is a possibility of health tourism in Nepal and added that if health tourism is developed, the nation will be benefitted.

In the two-day review meeting, the works, achievements, and problems of the MoHP, Department of Health Services, Department of Drugs Administration, Division of Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine Services, Academy of Health Sciences and Federal Hospitals have been discussed.