Srijana Magar, Kathmandu – Policy Planning and Monitoring Division of the Ministry of Health and Population Dr. Taranath Pokhrel said political commitment was seen as a major challenge to health policy. In a policy dialogue program on ‘Health Policy in Federal Structure’ organized by the Center for Social Change on Wednesday Pokharel has expressed that view.

He said that the government has not been able to fulfill its commitment even though the constitution of Nepal states that no citizen should be deprived of free health care and emergency health care under the fundamental right.

Stating that lack of proper manpower is another major challenge in the region, he said, “Despite the state government structure, the rescue process for emergency health care and life safety has improved compared to the past, but due to lack of proper manpower, we are still failing to achieve national / international goals. Therefore, in order to achieve the goal of making the health policy tangible and effective, it is necessary to pay attention to the proper use and production of manpower”, Pokhrel emphasized.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Research Officer of Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC) Dr. Meghnath Dhimal said that the NHRC still had to rely on the Ministry for policy formulation and approval of health research, adding that the state should widen the scope of this sector for access able health policy . He also said that the policy of NHRC, which has not changed since the construction period, should be amended.

Community Health Care Program Specialist Rashmi Poudel also said that Nepal’s health policy is over ambitious and a situation of change has been created in it.

Trying to lighten up on own  state, she added,  “While we are formulating the policy of providing health insurance and services to the backward classes, we are not paying much attention to how to reach those services.” Due to which, we are failing to achieve the target.’