Mobile Health Camps
MINISTER for Health Dr Upendra Devkota has said that the mobile health camps run by the
government in Achham, Pyuthan and Dailekh have benefited the local people to a great
extent. The mobile medical camps in these three districts alone have provided treatment to
more than 30,000 rural people, who, otherwise, do not have access to health care
facilities. Speaking at a function organised to honour the doctors and health workers
involved in the mobile medical camps in Kathmandu the other day, Minister for Health Dr
Devkota called upon all involved in the field of health to expand this scheme to other
remote districts as well. The concept of the mobile medical camps is strictly in line with
the government's plan of action to enhance the Nepalese people's health status. Child
mortality and maternity related mortality in Nepal figure among the highest in the world.
Majority of the people, especially those living in the rural areas, are deprived of
quality and specialist health care services. His Majesty's Government has accorded high
priority to the health sector and adopted the policy of providing health care services to
all citizens of the country within a few years. Different donor countries and
international agencies have been providing financial and technical support to the
government to improve the health condition of Nepal and accomplish the goal of health for
all. As a result, there has been significant improvement in the health sector. The number
of doctors, nurses and health workers has increased significantly over the last few years.
Similarly, the government has increased the number of hospitals and health posts in the
country to provide better health care services to the people. In accordance with the
policy of the government to attract private investment in health sector, there have been
encouraging initiatives from the private sector in the field of health. Despite all these
efforts, health status of Nepal is still far from satisfactory. Since more than two-thirds
of the population live in the rural areas, the health service scheme has so far not been
able to fully address the needs and demands of the majority of the people in the villages.
Against this background, the programme of mobile medical camps in the rural and remote
areas appears to be a commendable effort since it provides specialist and quality health
services to the people. Such drives need to be made more sustainable and expanded to other
areas as well.
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