Government decides to accept US grant for health service reform

The government has decided to accept a grant of around $20.7 million from the US government for health service reform.

Government spokesperson and Minister for Education and Sports Sasmita Pokharel said the Cabinet meeting held Tuesday made six decisions including this one.

According to Nepal Rastra Bank's latest dollar purchase rate, the amount comes to nearly Rs 3.17 billion. The government has decided to run health service reform programs using the grant.

The meeting also granted permission to use national forest area for construction of the Kamala-Dhalkebar-Pathlaiya section of the East-West Highway, the Garjang Khola small hydropower project, and the roughly 40-megawatt Balephi Khola hydropower project.

Approval was also given to use forest land to build training schools, battalions and border security posts for the Armed Police Force.

The meeting approved presenting three bills to the Federal Parliament related to the federal civil service, animal slaughterhouse and meat inspection, and the rights of persons with disabilities.

The meeting also promoted senior-level employees and appointed two secretaries.