Concrete spending targets established

Nepal’s PEN-Plus programme provides a standardised package of care for people living with severe, chronic NCDs at first-level referral hospitals. By defining the services, medicines, diagnostics and workforce required to deliver this package, PEN-Plus provides a clearer basis for planning the resources needed for NCD care. Nepal is now exploring ways to embed PEN-Plus within national financing frameworks, including through government contributions and health insurance.

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Optimised and coherent fiscal policies

Nepal’s National Health Financing Strategy 2023–2033 sets out a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen and sustain health financing. The strategy prioritises expanding fiscal space for health, including through increased domestic resource mobilisation, while improving the efficiency and equity of resource allocation.

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Investment in/prioritisation of data and surveillance

Nepal uses data to monitor how its health financing and medicines policies translate into access. The national health benefit package, essential medicines list and treatment protocols are designed to work as interconnected instruments, with medicine availability data helping assess whether this policy link is working in practice. Nepal also collects data on medicine prices and affordability using WHO/Health Action International methods, complemented by community-based studies that examine medicine affordability and financial hardship.

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Strategic access levels to lower costs of medicines and devices

Not yet assessed