KATHMANDU: Minister for Health and Population, Pradeep Paudel, has announced that starting next year, eyeglasses used for eye treatment will be exempt from Value Added Tax (VAT) and customs duties.
The announcement was made during the inauguration of the central assembly of the Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh in Kathmandu on Friday.
Highlighting the dual nature of eyeglasses—both as a fashion accessory and a medical necessity—Paudel emphasized the government’s commitment to improving accessibility to essential eye treatment equipment.
“From next year, there will be no VAT or customs duty on prescription glasses related to treatment. This exemption will extend to therapeutic materials brought in through external assistance or procurement,” he said.
Paudel also stressed the importance of collective efforts to enhance eye treatment infrastructure and expand the availability of medical equipment.
“We will work together to organize physical infrastructure and increase the availability of equipment for eye treatment,” he said.
To make eye treatment more effective, Paudel stated the government’s readiness to implement necessary policy reforms.
“We are committed to improving eye treatment not just by removing financial barriers but also by addressing policy-level challenges,” he added.
The minister clarified that materials purchased for therapeutic purposes, especially those brought through external assistance, already benefit from customs duty exemptions.
He assured that similar provisions would soon apply to eyeglasses used in treatment, further easing the financial burden on healthcare providers and patients alike.
Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh, a leading organization in the field of eye care, welcomed the announcement, stating it would greatly support their mission to reduce vision impairment and improve eye health across Nepal.
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