Dhangadhi, Nov. 2 -- The Sudurpaschim provincial government has allocated just Rs30.1 million to buy free medicines for public health facilities this fiscal year and more than Rs1.15 billion for 921 temples across the province.

The meagre allocation has raised concerns about medicine shortages at the province's health facilities, which need an estimated Rs100 million to Rs120 million annually to provide basic healthcare services, which are provided free of charge. The provincial government, which went nearly three months without an approved budget, has allocated far less than what is needed to fulfil its responsibility for supplying essential medicines.

Including funds received from the federal government, the total allocation for medic...