Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The World Bank has approved $100 million in financing for the implementation of the Nepal Quality Health Systems Program.
A press statement issued by the World Bank said the program will improve the quality of healthcare services and increase the coverage of health insurance, and enhance the capacity of the healthcare system to prepare for and respond to health emergencies in Koshi and Gandaki provinces.
“By prioritizing and investing in health, Nepal can reap multiple benefits including improved health outcomes, increased productivity, and economic growth,” said Faris Hadad-Zervos, the World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, said in the statement. “The World Bank supports Nepal’s goal to put quality at the core of health system policy and planning and service delivery.”
Ministry of Health and Population will implement the program in coordination with the Health Insurance Board at the federal level, and province and local governments in Koshi and Gandaki provinces to help achieve the strategic objectives of Nepal’s Health Sector Strategic Plan, 2022-2030. These include enhancing the efficiency and responsiveness of the health system, promoting sustainable financing and social protection in health, and promoting equitable access to quality health services.
“The program supports the implementation of federalism and builds on Nepal’s first Program for Results in the health sector to address the challenges of access and quality and to build a resilient public health sector,” Dr. Feng Zhao, Practice Manager for Health, Nutrition and Population, South Asia Region, said in the statement. “The results achieved under this program have the potential for scale-up to other provinces.”
The financing is complemented by a $3.84 million grant from the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (HEPR) Trust Fund. The HEPR Trust Fund supports eligible countries and territories to improve their capacities to prepare, prevent, respond, and mitigate the impact of epidemics on populations.
