New health policy aims high in ensuring smart services

Kathmandu, July 1 - Patients can book appointments online and visit doctors across the nation for treatment.

Medical records of patients will be digitalised and highly facilitated ambulance services will be available in each local level.

Making public its ambitious National Health Policy 2019, the government revealed its plans, policies and strategies to improve health services in the country.

For institutionalising e-health, the government has aimed to develop and extend mobile health and telemedicine services.

“The government has planned to provide e-medicine services to the public within a year. Online bookings will be made possible to rid patients of queues in hospitals. It will save the time of patients and help them get medical services without any hassle,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population Upendra Yadav during a press meet organised at the ministry.

The new health policy has six objectives, 25 policies and 146 strategies to improve the health sector.

The government has ensured free basic health services as determined by health institutions in each level. All citizens will be ensured access to emergency health services.

Easy access for specialised health services will be ensured and the health system will be developed in the three tiers of government — federal, state and local.

Universal health coverage (including prevention, promotion, treatment, rehabilitation and palliation) will be provided.

There will be development and extension of ayurveda, naturopathy, yoga and homoeopathic medical systems.

The government also aims to manage organ donation and human organ transplantation along with organ donation of brain dead people. There will also be a provision of performance-based pay and incentive for health practitioners.

Every citizen will be ensured access to basic emergency health services as per the new health policy, said the health minister.

The government has planned to develop air ambulance services for people living in rural areas of the country.

Programmes have also been planned to bring all Nepalis under the insurance policy.

The government has aimed to establish trauma centres in major highways to provide emergency health services to victims of accidents. To help minimise the impacts of environment pollution on human health, the government aims to construct cycle lanes and public parks and coordinate with the concerned bodies.

The health system will be expanded according to the federal structure. There will be availability of basic health service centre in each ward and a primary hospital in each local level.

Secondary hospitals under provinces and provincial hospitals will be established.

Academy of medical sciences, super specialised hospitals and tertiary hospitals under the federal state will be established in each province. National disease control centre will also be established. One reference laboratory will be established in each province as per the health policy.

“The new policy has been made to ensure quality health services as guaranteed by the constitution. It is the fundamental right of the people to have access to quality health services,” said Minister Yadav.

source: https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/new-health-policy-aims-high-in-ensuring-smart-services/