KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that strengthening the national unity is the need of hour.

National unity is needed to institutionalize the federal democratic republic and the Nepali Congress would lead this effort, said the PM, also NC President, while addressing the 14th annual general assembly of the BP Smriti Hospital here today.

Stating that the government is committed to provide basic health service to all citizens, he claimed that it has got a success in preventing and controlling COVID-19.

He also urged all political parties to help in safeguarding and implementing the constitution.

Similarly, NC leader Dr Shekhar Koirala reiterated that the party should fight singlehandedly in upcoming local election.

The government should be serious to reduce trade deficit as it is increasing in recent period, he said.

Also, the hospital chair Dr Kedar Narsingh KC urged the government to manage at least 20 percent budget in health sector and stressed the need for all to join hands to end anomalies in the sector.