Karnali Province Prioritizes Health Sector in Rs 65.9 Million Nutrition and Healthcare-Focused Budget for FY 2083/84

The Karnali Province government has unveiled its budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84, placing strong emphasis on strengthening the health sector and expanding essential medical services across the province.

Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning Rajiv Bikram Shahi presented the budget during a Provincial Assembly meeting on Monday, outlining a wide range of health-focused priorities aimed at improving rural healthcare delivery and reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.

Key priorities include upgrading rural community health centres, providing incentives to women health workers, continuing maternity nutrition allowances for new mothers, and strengthening emergency rescue services for pregnant women and those facing labor complications. The government has also continued its allowance programme for mothers giving birth at public health institutions.

Minister Shahi stated that incentives for female health volunteers have been significantly increased, with a 100 percent hike raising their annual incentive to Rs 24,000 in recognition of their contribution to rural healthcare services.

The budget also emphasizes digitization of records in all health institutions, upgrading laboratory services, and strengthening infrastructure based on patient load assessments. Provisions have been made to improve human resource management, equipment availability, and facility expansion in basic and provincial hospitals.

To enhance access to critical care, the government has allocated funds to ensure free blood transfusion services for poor and senior citizens in coordination with the Nepal Red Cross Society. Expansion of kidney dialysis services at Dailekh District Hospital has also been planned.

For the treatment of chronic and non-communicable diseases, Rs 25 million has been allocated, targeting conditions such as cancer, heart disease, kidney disorders, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, anemia, sickle cell disease, spinal and head injuries, and autism. The budget also includes provisions for community-level health screening programmes, particularly for senior citizens, single women, and persons with disabilities.

Additionally, Rs 43.9 million has been allocated to continue programmes such as e-health services, telemedicine consultations, specialist health camps, oncology care, and burn treatment services. Another Rs 73 million has been set aside for medical equipment procurement to support dental and other essential healthcare services.

The budget further envisions broader reforms in health service delivery, including collaboration with local governments to strengthen basic health centres, promotion of yoga, meditation, psychosocial wellbeing, and lifestyle changes. Initiatives such as the Karnali Health Campaign and efforts to develop Karnali as a health tourism hub have also been included.

Plans have also been announced to establish Ayurvedic medicine centres, promote traditional knowledge and alternative medical systems, and expand psychosocial counseling and rehabilitation services. The province aims to implement awareness programmes to promote behavioral change and further reduce maternal and child mortality rates.

Minister Shahi reaffirmed that the government will continue supplementary nutrition programmes targeting children, adolescents, and pregnant women, with an allocation of Rs 65.9 million dedicated to improving nutritional outcomes across vulnerable groups.