KATHMANDU: The government has said it would declare all local levels tuberculosis (TB) free within the next two years.

Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel said that the government has allocated Rs 1.46 billion to control malaria, TB, HIV/AIDS and leprosy in the new budget for the fiscal year 2021/22.

The budget has continued the risk allowances being provided to front-liner doctors, health workers, security personnel and sanitation workers.

Likewise, Rs 2.50 billion has been allocated to manage free of cost treatment to cardio, kidney, Alzheimers, brain stroke, sickle cell patients of economically disadvantaged sections.

Likewise, Rs 1.30 billion has been allocated to establish 300-bed hospitals in Kathmandu and 50-bed hospitals in each seven provinces for the treatment of communicable diseases.