State-1 govt announces health-focused policy for upcoming fiscal

Kathmandu - The state-1 government has brought out its news policy and programmes for upcoming fiscal year of 2077/78 BS. Province chief Somnath Adhikari Pyasi presented the policy and programmes of the state government at the State assembly on Friday. In the new policy and program, to be included in the upcoming fiscal budget of June 15, health has given central priority. According to the 224-point policy and program, the state government has come up with program to make 100-bed district hospital with isolation wards in all 14 districts of the province.

Biratnagar-based Koshi Zonal Hospital will be under state government after required preparations, said the policy and program. Dhankuta district hospital and Mechi Zonal Hospital would be upgraded as multi-specialty hospital with six ventilators. All health facilities at the local levels would be upgraded and the trauma center of Mangalbare, Morang, would be upgraded as Madan Bhandari Hospital, said the document. Likewise, the state government has come up with the program to arrange GPS-mapped ambulance facilities equipped with life-support equipment.

A state public health laboratory would be established in the state. On other topics, government has said it would cease monetary grants on agricultural projects and enhance 'one village one product' and 'one village one pond' programs. Other programs of the state governments include establishment of 'state invention fund', construction of a domestic airport at Dharan, upgradation of Biratnagar regional airport into an international airport, construction of international convention center and an outer ring road in Itahari.

In addition, Koshi Refreshment Center at Koshi Rural Municipality's East-West Highway section and Mechi Refreshment center along Mechi Highway's Ilam section are accommodated in the policy and program of the state government. State government has devised a strategy to run 200-megawatt hydroelectric power with an aim to illuminate all households of the state. The medium-sized mid-hill irrigation projects, distribution of solar-powered green energy to deprived and poor communities, construction of more suspension bridges, among others, are also in the announced policy and program.

State government will establish a state sports board and the fair price shop in each of 137 local governments of the state, says the policy and program. Establishment of mega multi-ethnic museum and a integrated Dalit museum are also parts of the government-announced policy and program for upcoming fiscal year. The policy and program has also announced a multi-year plan to make child marriage-free state by 2025.