MP Gurupasad Baral Stresses Food Hygiene and Preventive Healthcare for Health Sector Improvement

Kathmandu. CPN (UML) MP Gurupasad Baral has stated that food hygiene and preventive healthcare system should be given special priority for the improvement of the health sector. Speaking at a meeting of the Education, Health and Information Technology Committee on Thursday, MP Baral drew the attention of the Ministry of Health. He suggested expanding the scope of Ayurveda and alternative medicine and urged to connect yoga and natural therapy with the daily lifestyle of citizens. Regarding hospital management, MP Baral said that medical superintendents should be selected based on expertise and managerial capacity, not just seniority. Presenting statistics that ordinary people are being pushed below the poverty line due to health treatment, he said that the state should take effective steps in the treatment of complex diseases like cancer, kidney, and liver. Commenting on the government's idea of bringing the drug and food department under a single authority, he mentioned that these are two different subjects. Pointing out the need for improvement in the working style of the Department of Drug Administration, he drew the serious attention of the ministry to ensure transparency in measuring the quality of foreign and domestic medicines and to stop substandard medicines from entering the market. MP Baral said, 'Programs under Ayurveda and alternative medicine including yoga, natural therapy, nutrition management, hydrotherapy, and promotion of healthy lifestyle should be given further priority.' He mentioned that if promoting regular exercise, balanced diet, and healthy lifestyle as a citizen's code of conduct can reduce the pressure on treatment services, he said, 'There should be a clear division between hospital management and medical services. More attention should be paid to specialist doctors providing specialist services and developing a competent management system for hospital management.' Expressing concern that many families are still being pushed into poverty due to health expenses, he added, 'Especially since the treatment of chronic diseases like cancer, kidney, liver, and paralysis is very expensive, it is necessary to invest more in preventing diseases rather than treating them after they occur.' He stated that the distinct nature of both should be clearly addressed when implementing the proposal related to the Food and Drug Authority. Emphasizing the strictness of standards in drug registration, quality testing, and regulation, he said, 'The ministry and relevant bodies should pay special attention to ending the practice of approving medicines that do not meet minimum quality standards and giving top priority to consumer health security.' MP Baral urged civil servants to be responsible and honest and urged special attention to ensure the health rights of the poor and disadvantaged citizens.