Stress laid on free health services in parties’ election manifestos

Key Points

• Political parties have made free public health services a key agenda in the upcoming election.
• The Communist Party of Nepal (UML) promises sanitary pads for schoolgirls and allowances for female health volunteers and postpartum women.
• Nepali Congress pledges to eliminate out-of-pocket healthcare costs and cover treatments with health insurance, subsidizing premiums for the poor.
• Nepali Communist Party aims for universal health insurance by 2088 BS and extended hospital service hours.
• Rastriya Swatantra Party commits to integrated social security and enhanced mental health services, including a burn treatment fund and a specialised hospital.