Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The government has signed an agreement with the World Bank for a $100 million concessional loan from the International Development Association and a $3.84 million grant from the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Trust Fund to strengthen the quality, coverage, and resilience of Nepal’s health system.
Issuing a statement, the World Bank Npeal Office said that the agreements for the Nepal Quality Health Systems Program Operation were signed by Finance Secretary, Dr. Krishna Hari Pushkar and the World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, Mr. Faris Hadad-Zervos.
The program will be implemented by the Ministry of Health and Population in coordination with the Health Insurance Board at the federal level, and selected provincial and local governments in Koshi and Gandaki provinces.
According to the World Bank, the program emphasizes improving the readiness of the health system for delivery of quality healthcare, enhancing coverage of health insurance, and strengthening health emergency preparedness and response capacity at the selected provincial and local levels.
Commenting on the agreement, Pushkar said quality healthcare serves as the cornerstone of human capital development. “The comprehensive reform agenda set forth by the Nepal Quality Health Systems Program Operation will be pivotal in enhancing access to high-quality healthcare services,” he added.
Likewise, Faris Hadad-Zervos, the World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, said the World Bank was committed to working with the government to build a resilient and inclusive public health system in Nepal that protects vulnerable populations and contributes to improved productivity and strong human capital development, which is fundamental to sustainable economic growth.
