POKHARA: The Gandaki Province government is to ensure health insurance coverage to all citizens of the Province within the next three years.

Accordingly, the provincial government has allocated Rs. 20 million for the purpose in the Fiscal Year 2020/21 budget.

The health insurance coverage will be established in coordination with the central government.

Likewise, the arrangement has been made to continue the social security being provided to people with disabilities, helpless, physically challenged, pregnant and lactating women, senior citizens and the destitute said Minister for Financial Affairs and Planning Kiran Gurung.

The government also continues in the new FY budget financial support to people suffering from diseases like cancer, sickle cell anemia, spinal injury, Parkinson, Alzheimer and serious head injuries as well as heart and kidney ailments.

Special arrangement has also been made to begin specialized treatment of kidney and heart diseases at the Pokhara Institute of Health Sciences.

Minister Gurung shared that 102 million rupees have been allocated to upgrade the Province Public Health Training Centre, Province Health Supplies Management Centre and Province Tuberculosis Control Centre.

Physical infrastructure development works will be continued at Madhyabindu hospital of Nawalpur, Child and Maternity Hospital, Karki, and district hospitals in Parbat, Manang and Mustang.

The government also has plans to promote alternative medicine including Ayurveda and naturopathy. The budget has been allocated to run health literacy and awareness programs at the community level. RSS