Healthcare is an important sector from a socio-economic perspective in Nepal. The quality of healthcare impacts life expectancy and overall health of workforce; and at the same time the cost of healthcare impacts household spending patterns and hence the economy. In Nepal, the sector ranks unfavorably against global averages on both health “inputs” as well as “outcomes”. The inputs-side of healthcare includes infrastructure, availability of skilled healthcare personnel, and availability as well as distribution of life saving injectables and other pharmaceuticals.
There are opportunities for public private partnerships in the development and management of public health infrastructure. In relation to this, the Bank aims to promote models for active engagement of the private sector and the financial institutions in development of the health infrastructure.
NIFRA has been allowed to invest in certain sections of healthcare sector.