Health centres being inspected: Minister Basnet

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, June 3: Minister for Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet has said that the ministry has prioritised inspection of the health centres across the country.

Speaking at a press meet organised at the Ministry on Friday, Minister Basnet said, “The ministry alongside the provincial and local authorities will be inspecting the health centres under their jurisdiction or territory. The inspection will focus on the management, present condition, challenges and possibilities.”

Minister Basnet had made surprise inspections at the Shahid Gangalal National Health Centre and the Hospital for Advanced Medicine and Surgery (HAMS) on Friday.

“The ministry has also requested all the government hospitals to create a detailed website and online ticket system for the convenience of patients,” he added.

Speaking at the press meet, acting Vice Chancellor of the National Academy of Medical Sciences, the governing body of Bir Hospital, Dr. Bhupendra Kumar Basnet, informed that the hospital had made several changes and upgrades within the past couple of weeks since the Minister inspected the tertiary health centre.

“The cash counters for the OPD, lab tests and other purposes have been separated for ease. Also 11 beds have been added in the High-dependency Care Units (HDU) and the emergency ward is being expanded. After repairing a CT scan machine, two such machines are now in operation,” said Dr. Basnet.

According to the Department of Health Services (DoHS), at least 80-90 per cent of medical equipment were in operation in the health centres across the country. Among the remaining ones, some can be repaired and some are being transported to the health centres which are in need of the equipment.

“We are also analysing the use of ventilators that arrived during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the reduction in the COVID-19 cases, the ventilators will be distributed to needy health centres,” Minister Basnet said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has also informed about the shortage of a joint expert in medical as well as insurance sector to fill the vacant post of the chief of the Health Insurance Board. Minister Basnet said that the ministry was moving forward to ensuring quality health for all.

“The ministry will keep a surveillance throughout the country to prevent any irregularities,” Minister Basnet added. Informing about his recent visit to Geneva at the 76th World Health Assembly a week ago, Minister Basnet said that the World Health Organisation (WHO) officials have pledged quality and effective support to Nepal.