Banking News – Prime Minister Balendra Shah has directed authorities to immediately move forward with plans to establish well-equipped burn treatment centers in all seven provinces. During a meeting with vice-chancellors of health science academies at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Monday, he also instructed officials to prepare plans to strengthen burn wards in major government hospitals.

The Prime Minister emphasized the need for effective coordination among the federal government, provincial governments, and health institutions to ensure that patients with severe burn injuries receive timely and quality treatment.

Stating that quality, efficient, and citizen-friendly healthcare remains a top government priority, Shah also called for improvements in hospital cleanliness, service delivery, digital technology adoption, and good governance across the health sector.

He further directed authorities to effectively implement the provision requiring private hospitals to provide at least 10 percent of their outpatient (OPD) services at concessional rates for poor, helpless, and economically disadvantaged citizens.

The Prime Minister also encouraged health institutions to share best practices and successful models with one another. He said issues related to encroachment on land owned by health institutions would be addressed in coordination with the concerned authorities in accordance with the law.

During the meeting, the vice-chancellors presented recommendations on improving the quality of medical education, enhancing healthcare delivery, expanding specialist services, strengthening the health workforce, promoting research, and developing healthcare infrastructure.

They also briefed the Prime Minister on the need for digital transformation in healthcare, effective implementation of hospital information management systems, and the institutional challenges caused by land encroachment at some health academies.

The meeting was attended by Prof. Dr. Nabeesaman Singh Pradhan, Vice-Chancellor of Patan Academy of Health Sciences; Prof. Dr. Ajay Kumar Mishra, Vice-Chancellor of Rapti Academy of Health Sciences; Prof. Dr. Narayan Singh Gurung, Vice-Chancellor of Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences; Dr. Smriti Kafle, Vice-Chancellor of B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (Dharan); and Dr. Bibek Acharya, Vice-Chancellor of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS).