KATHMANDU: The government is preparing to establish a task force to promote medical tourism, with the aim of positioning Nepal as a regional hub for quality and affordable healthcare services.
A decision to initiate the formation of the task force and begin its work promptly was made during a meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Thursday.
The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister’s Health Adviser Prof. Dr. Jagdish Prasad Agarwal and attended by secretaries from concerned ministries, directors and representatives of private hospitals.
Discussions focused on developing medical tourism services for international patients seeking quality and affordable treatment in Nepal. Key issues included establishing an appropriate regulatory framework, setting standards for hospital quality and patient safety, and facilitating medical visas for foreign patients and their companions.
Promoting medical tourism is expected to generate foreign currency earnings while reducing the need for Nepali citizens to travel abroad for medical treatment. It is also expected to strengthen specialized healthcare services within the country.
To establish Nepal as a reliable destination for medical tourism, the government has prioritized necessary policy and institutional reforms.
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