KATHMANDU: Prime Minister (PM) KP Oli announced today that eye health services will be integrated into Nepal’s national health insurance program.
Speaking at the inauguration of the international conference ‘2030 In Sight Live Nepal’, organized by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and other health organizations, PM Oli emphasized the government’s commitment to making eye care universally accessible by 2030 in line with the 2030 In Sight strategy.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s focus on strengthening the primary healthcare system and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Highlighting the prioritization of eye care, he said the inclusion of eye health in the insurance programme would particularly benefit those at risk of vision loss.
He acknowledged the critical role of the Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness survey conducted in 2022 in shaping national eye-health priorities.
Additionally, PM Oli announced that the National Health Sector Strategy aims to increase the coverage of cataract surgeries from the current 35–45 percent to 75 percent by 2030.
Stressing that no country can achieve meaningful progress in eye health alone, he called for greater global cooperation in the sector.
The Prime Minister also noted the government’s initiatives such as school-based eye screenings and nursing programs, which he said contribute to promoting both gender equity and access to education.
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