Gorkha. Chief Minister of Gandaki State Surendra Raj Pandey has said that the goal is to make the state a hub of health sector. Inaugurating the Gorkha NPI Hospital at Gorkha district headquarters today, he said the state government has allocated 10 percent of the total budget in the current fiscal year keeping the health sector on priority.

Pointing out the possibility of making Gandaki a hub of health tourism, Chief Minister Pandey said that planned works were being carried out with the same objective. “When I was the chief minister, there were only 165 beds in hospitals across the state, which has now been expanded to 650 beds,” he said. He opined that plenty of employment opportunities could be created by creating an environment for investment in health services, medical education and private sector.

“We cannot stop sending youths abroad without creating new opportunities,” chief minister Pandey said, adding, “Creating jobs in the health sector is our next goal.” He said the government has taken a policy to encourage the private sector to invest with the expansion of hospitals and health institutions.

“The health services of the people are paramount and there should be no shortage in it,” he said, adding, “Gandaki state can become a strong state in the health sector, for which huge investment is required in health infrastructure.” He said that if any policy and law of the state government is a hindrance for investment in the private sector, it can be amended after holding necessary discussions.