Doti, Aug 22: Minister for Health and Population, Pradip Paudel, has acknowledged the inadequate investment in Nepal’s health sector.
Speaking at a press meet in Doti on Friday, the Minister stressed the need for increased government funding in health. As he said, according to international standards, at least 10 percent of a country’s total budget should be allocated to the health sector. However, in Nepal, the health sector receives less than five percent of the national budget.
Minister Paudel also urged both province and local governments to prioritize and increase their health budgets.
Furthermore, he assured that Rs one million will be allocated for the operation of basic hospitals established through joint investment of the Ministry and local governments, particularly those that have already undergone official handover.