Minister for Health and Population Giriraj Mani Pokhrel, addressing the 60th meeting of the World Health Assembly in Geneva on Wednesday, informed that in spite of substantial economic constraints, the government of Nepal has introduced free health care for poor, marginalised, deprived and disabled people in emergency and inpatient care setup of district hospitals and primary health care centers throughout the country.

Minister Pokhrel addressing the Assembly. Photo source: Permanent Mission of Nepal Geneva

Minister Pokhrel addressing the Assembly. Photo source: Permanent Mission of Nepal Geneva
Minister Pokhrel said commitments to provide free access to basic health care in the interim constitution as the indigenous right of Nepali people is one of the many historic achievements that Nepal made after the restoration of democracy last April.

“Over the years, Nepal has developed network of thousands of female community health volunteers and local health workers, and thus ensuring the access to free vaccine, micronutrient supplements, health education as well as simple curative services,” he said.

Stating that Nepal may achieve the Millennium Development Goal in child health, Pokhrel said the government is looking forward towards meeting the goals in maternal health as well.

Pokhrel further said, “Despite these achievements, we still have a long way to go as Nepal is undergoing a mixed epidemiologic transition, facing double burden of disease amidst wide spread malnutrition, ignorance and poverty. These problems are compounded by the fact that we are living in a globalised world with rapid mode of transport and large scale movement of people across the nations.”

He stressed the need for collaboration and cooperation among the developed and developing countries, national and international organisations, civil societies and each individual is vital to address the issue of international health security.

In the meantime, Minister Pokharel met with the Minister for Public Health of Thailand, Dr. Mongkol Na Songkhla on Wednesday to discuss health-related issues common to the Asia region and share experiences of works related to improvement of quality health services to the people.

Similarly, Pokhrel called on the executive secretary of GAVI Alliance, Julian Lob-Levyt. GAVI is supporting Nepal for vaccines and immunization.