Mahendranagar (Dhanusha), November 10 – Since the decentralization of healthcare through the Madhesh Provincial Government, improvements in the health sector have begun to surface, according to officials.
At the annual review meeting for the fiscal year 2079/80 organized by the Provincial Health Directorate, participants shared that despite limited resources, the province is making steady progress in healthcare services.
Vice Chairperson of the Provincial Policy and Planning Commission, Nathuprasad Chaudhary, noted that although health posts have been established in most local wards, the delivery of quality healthcare services to the public remains a challenge.
“Madhesh Province still has one of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the country. Health leaders must work harder to improve this,” said Chaudhary.
He also stressed the need to effectively implement policies aimed at creating a well-nourished province and reducing maternal and child mortality.
Provincial Assembly Member Rupakumari Yadav questioned why the health sector lags behind, even though Madhesh produces many renowned doctors and teachers.
Dr. Pramod Kumar Yadav, Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population, stated that the province has seen consistent improvements in healthcare over the past five years. Several infrastructure developments and treatments have already been initiated, he said.
He also revealed that 15-bed hospitals in all districts are being upgraded into 100-bed provincial hospitals. Furthermore, a quality laboratory and a vaccine storage facility capable of holding up to 20 million doses have been brought into operation within the province.
Dr. Sanjay Kumar Thakur, Director of the National Centre for AIDS and STD Control, highlighted that nutritional deficiency affects the poor, while non-communicable diseases are rising among the wealthy—a gap that poses new public health challenges.
Dr. Rajiv Kumar Jha, Director of the Provincial Health Directorate, acknowledged that while human resources and tools are lacking in some areas, the provincial government remains committed to reform.
He emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration with local municipalities to achieve lasting improvements in the health sector.
Additional discussions were held by key officials including Dr. Arun Bastola (Director, Health Service Centre), Dr. Nagendra Prasad Yadav (Director, Provincial Supply Centre), Dr. Saroj Kumar Khadka (Director, National Training Centre), Dr. Chumanlal Das (Chief, Coordination Division), and Rajbir Yadav, Leprosy and Tuberculosis Officer.
