Newly-appointed Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has assumed office today. After assuming office, the finance minister made three decisions including allocating Rs 5 billion for the purchase of vaccines against the coronavirus.
He also gave permission to disburse the funds that had been allocated prior to his appointment for the establishment and procurement of ICUs, ventilators, and other medical equipment necessary for the treatment of patients infected with COVID-19. Provincial and private hospitals will be provided over Rs 961.21 million for the abovementioned purpose.
Mahesh Acharya, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Finance, informed that Minister Sharma had approved over Rs 524.64 million for the establishment of ICUs and procurement of ventilators and other medical equipment needed for treatment of COVID-19 patients. The money will be disbursed to provincial and local levels through the Ministry of Social Development of the respective provinces.
Similarly, the finance minister has approved more than Rs 564.15 million that needs to be disbursed to provincial and private hospitals as reimbursement for providing free treatment to patients infected with the coronavirus as per the agreement signed by the previous administration. Spokesperson Acharya informed that Minister Sharma has also approved over Rs 372.49 million for provincial and local hospitals.
