Kathmandu: Nepal is set to sign a new health cooperation agreement with India as part of the initiative led by Minister for Health and Population, Pradeep Paudel. The Cabinet has approved the Ministry of Health’s proposal for a framework agreement with India aimed at collaboration in modern healthcare and the development and promotion of Ayurveda and traditional medicine.
The two countries will soon sign this bilateral health cooperation framework. The groundwork for this was laid during Minister Paudel’s visit to India on October 7, where he held talks with India’s Health Minister JP Nadda. During the meeting, both sides agreed to sign a formal framework for health cooperation.
At the same time, Minister Paudel proposed the development of a 300-bed infrastructure at the GP Koirala National Respiratory Disease Center in Dulegauda, Tanahun, Nepal’s only specialized respiratory hospital, which received a positive response from the Indian side.
The Ministry of Health is now preparing to sign the agreement during the upcoming official visit of India’s Health Minister to Nepal, which he has already accepted.
The draft framework includes cooperation in the health and pharmaceutical sectors. It also proposes India’s assistance in providing training and capacity-building opportunities for Nepali health professionals in India.
Furthermore, the draft suggests purchasing Indian-produced medicines at subsidized rates through government-to-government (G2G) procurement mechanisms. Nepal is also planning to formalize an agreement with India to offer subsidized treatment for Nepali patients who require medical care not available in Nepal.