Kathmandu, April 24: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has stressed the need to remain alert to the new challenges emerging in the health sector.     

In his address to the first convocation ceremony of the Patan Academy of Health Sciences today, PM Prachanda instructed the agencies concerned to pay special attention to resolving the problems seen in the health sector.     

“The Academy should develop more infrastructure to overcome and manage any challenges that may arise in the health sector”, he said, laying special emphasis on making the hospital services more quality and effective.     

On the occasion, the Prime Minister underlined the need to produce skilled and socially responsible doctors for quality health care in rural areas, according to the PM’s secretariat.     

Underscoring the need to expand access to health services in rural areas, PM Prachanda cited the COVID-19 pandemic situation to note the general public of Nepal can get universal healthcare services only if the public health institutions are effective and efficient.     

The government has placed a high priority on developing the capacity of all public hospitals, the PM said, instructing the Academy to take further initiative to provide specialized health services, including access to health services to all, quality of service as well as identifying social, cultural and environmental factors affecting public health in the community.     

PM Prachanda also took the opportunity to appreciate the Academy’s recent initiatives of launching health insurance and community-based service delivery in collaboration with local governments.     

The Prime Minister highlighted the urgency for establishing an integrated institute of health sciences and removal of duplication in medical education and health services for the management, operation and regulation of all medical and health sciences-related institutions in the country.     

“Attention should be paid to enhancing the capacity of all health institutions to provide basic and quality health services to all citizens”, he said, informing the government was making necessary groundworks towards developing Nepal as a hub of medical education. (RSS)