KATHMANDU: Dr. Roshan Pokharel has been appointed the Health Secretary at Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP).

A cabinet meeting held at Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers Monday picked Pokharel from among three names of chief specialists recommended for the promotion by the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration.

Dr. Dipendra Man Singh and Dr. Mahendra Prasad Shrestha were also in the fray for the top post of the health group at the MoHP. Of the recommended names, Dr. Shrestha’s tenure is expiring on July 30.

For the past three and a half years, the government did not have a Health Secretary from the health group at MoHP.