Rs 122 bln allocated for health sector

KATHMANDU, May 29: The government has increased the budget for the health sector. Presenting the budget for fiscal year 2021/22 at a programme held in Singha Durbar today, Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel informed that the budget has been increased in the health sector this year than the previous year.

He stated that Rs 122 billion 770 million has been allocated to the health sector. The Finance Minister added that the budget was focused on reducing the coronavirus infection and there would not be a budget shortage for this.   

He shared that Rs 26.75 billion has been allocated in the budget to purchase the anti-COVID-19 vaccines to be administered to all citizens.  

Finance Minister Poudel said Rs 37.57 billion was earmarked to curb the pandemic while Rs 5.60 billion has been allocated to purchase the medicines and equipment in view of controlling the pandemic.

The Finance Minister further shared that the customs duty and taxes were reduced in importing the medical equipment and devices.