Encouraging programme
Encouraging programme
The local health delivery system of Nepal is one of the best systems in the Asian
region considering its organizational structure. In each 4300 VDCs, we will
find one service outlet that is rendering primary health services to the local
population. Nonetheless, its effectiveness in providing health services
throughout the year is questionable for many good reasons. Lack of trained
health workers, inadequate supply of medicines and lack of proper
infrastructures are the major problems which have been the hindrances in
providing quality health services.
The announcement of gradual implementation
of “One village, one Doctor to ensure basic health for all” (THT, 15 July, Page
2) made by the government in its 2015-16 annual budget seems interesting and
encouraging. However, unless the government becomes serious in implementing
this program, it will remain only in black and white. The government had not even
been able to recruit and assign field level health workers in all its service
outlets in the past. Assigning doctor at the VDC level service outlets does
seem bit challenging.
Nonetheless, the proposed program needs to
be positively taken. It helps to create additional jobs and provide good
opportunity for young doctors to serve the rural people. It is also hoped that
this ambitious program may help to check brain drain trend and retain the
required human resources in the country. For this, the future government needs
to be sincere and committed in affectively implementing this program with the
intention of providing quality health services to its people at their door
steps.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj.
