Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said health academies are expected to play a special role in producing required health workforce and enhancing people’s easy access to healthcare services.

In his address to the sixth Senate of the Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS) on Friday, the head of the government was of the opinion that production and service delivery system of the Academy should be standard, convenient, impartial and accessible to the citizens.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister who also serves as the Academy Chancellor expressed his hope that the event would significantly contribute to the strategic development of the Academy, taking it to the path of socialism-oriented health industry.

He reminded the Academy was established as the 15-bed ‘Solider Board Hospital’ six and half decades ago- in 1957- and its name was changed over the course of time. It was established by upgrading the Western Regional Hospital in 2072 BS. “Now, it remains as the 500-bed medical teaching hospital and it is the matter of pride for the entire people of Gandaki Province.” As he said, the Academy has been able to establish itself as one of the leading medical entities across the country.