100 days of government: foundations laid for improved health services
Kathmandu: Compared to about 100 days ago, not only the external appearance of public health institutions has changed, but also the quality of services. From the cleanliness of government hospitals, which was always a public complaint in the past, all health services provided to patients have become much more systematic.
The entire digital record of patients, health and treatment has started to be kept securely, and the government’s goal of not only providing patients with treatment as quickly as possible but also providing medicines at affordable prices and easily is also taking shape.
There are six health-related goals in point no. 85 of the 100 agenda of governance reforms issued by the government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Chaitra 13. In the process of fulfilling these goals, the Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene has gradually started to eliminate many anomalies in the health sector.
Starting with a change in work culture, Ministry Spokesperson Dr. Samir Kumar Adhikari said that the entire work culture of the health sector has changed. He stated that practices such as delays, process violations, and decision-making based on requests or biases have been eliminated. Continuous monitoring and inquiry from the ministerial level have been ensuring accountability and result-oriented work across federal hospitals and other units.
The government’s step to make 10 percent free beds in hospitals mandatory has begun to yield results. Since the ‘Free Health Portal’ came into operation, 2,262 people have benefited from free beds. Patients and their relatives can now check the availability of beds in hospitals in advance. So far, 213 hospitals have updated their bed details on the portal. The need to search from hospital to hospital for blood has also been addressed, with 32 blood transfusion service centers, including the Nepal Red Cross and other hospitals, listed on the portal. The government has also approved the Targeted Category Free Treatment Portal (Operation and Management) Procedure, 2083.
A complete patient health record system has been introduced in five major federal hospitals, including Pokhara Institute of Health Sciences, Bharatpur Hospital, Bir Hospital, National Trauma Center, and Kanti Children’s Hospital. These hospitals have also launched dashboards to provide complete service information. BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences has also introduced its dashboard, while 26 federal hospitals have designated focal persons to monitor electronic attendance.
Cleanliness and organization in government hospitals have significantly improved within 100 days. A total of 26 federal hospitals have appointed focal persons for regular cleanliness audits and monitoring. Continuous service-related training has been provided, including soft skills training to 727 health workers. Hospitals are also operating their own drug stores to provide affordable and quality medicines.
Under burn treatment improvements, the government has allocated Rs. 20 million to Kirtipur Hospital and Rs. 200 million for a burn treatment fund for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84. An additional Rs. 100 million has been allocated to replenish insufficient hospital funds. So far, 48 health workers from 12 federal hospitals have received training in burn treatment and management.
The government has also prepared a draft of the ‘Heli and Air Ambulance Service Operation Guidelines, 2082’ to ensure accessible emergency services in remote areas, including Karnali and Sudurpaschim.
Additionally, the government has coordinated with health institutions to ensure treatment for 2,599 injured people from 102 hospitals during the Gen-z protests. Details of 549 injured individuals have been classified and approved for further process. The government has implemented procedures for reimbursing hospitals for treatment of injured persons in protests, conflicts, and disasters, paying approximately Rs. 8.7 million so far.
As part of governance reforms, the government has prepared and implemented multiple reports and procedures, including those related to public procurement management, generic medicines, hospital service improvements, and pharmaceutical monitoring. Preparations are underway to formulate a new Health Service Act by integrating existing laws.
A ‘Process Improvement Task Force’ has been formed to simplify procedures and improve service delivery. Administrative processes have been digitized, including services related to food business licenses, laboratory reports, and quality certification.
To strengthen governance, several procedures and guidelines have been issued, including the Hospital Service Improvement Procedure, 2082, and others related to free treatment and injury classification. Drafts for reimbursement procedures and monitoring systems have also been prepared.
The Ministry has also developed internal reforms, including employee codes of conduct, organizational management surveys, and performance indicators. More than 12,000 individuals have received basic life support training, and 30 have been trained in emergency health services in epidemic areas.
To address public complaints, the ‘Hello Health’ platform has been made active alongside ‘Hello Government’. A total of 6,629 complaints, suggestions, and service requests were received by the end of Jestha in the fiscal year 2082/83, all of which have been addressed. Monitoring activities have exceeded 1,000 instances, with necessary actions and warnings issued where required.
The government has also addressed long-standing health insurance payment issues, disbursing nearly Rs. 4 billion since its formation. Efforts are ongoing to improve the system and ensure effective health service delivery through regular monitoring.