KATHMANDU, Nov 8: The Nepal Army's Welfare Fund has been providing education, healthcare, skills training, employment and financial security programmes to serving and retired personnel and their dependent families since its establishment in 2032 BS.
The fund has evolved into an institutional social security mechanism for military families, with around one million beneficiaries currently accessing its services and concessions.
According to Nepal Army spokesperson Brigadier General Rajaram Basnet, the fund's contribution extends beyond military families, supporting national efforts in education, healthcare, skills development and social protection.
Around 40,000 students are currently studying on scholarships at army schools, while more than 110,000 military personnel have benefited from concessional loans.
The fund aims to produce skilled and self-reliant citizens through education, healthcare, vocational training, employment and entrepreneurship programmes.
Contribution to education
The fund operates army schools and colleges, medical and nursing institutions, polytechnic colleges and the Nepal Army Institute of Agriculture to provide affordable, quality education and produce skilled human resources.
These institutions have produced 1,074 doctors, 2,076 nurses, 55 technical professionals and 409 agricultural experts. Around 30,000 military and civilian students have graduated from army schools and colleges, while another 4,000 have completed courses at technical colleges.
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To expand access to education, the fund has partnered with 244 selected educational institutions across various districts, providing study opportunities to 4,600 children of military families.
Around 40,000 students are currently enrolled in army schools. In addition, the fund provides an annual lump sum scholarship of Rs 25,000 to one child from each of approximately 35,000 beneficiary families whose children cannot access army schools, colleges or affiliated institutions.
These programmes aim to reduce educational barriers caused by financial constraints and widen access to affordable education.
Healthcare and financial security
The Army also provides affordable and quality healthcare services, including specialised treatment, while helping train and mobilise skilled health professionals to support the national healthcare system.
To strengthen the social and financial security of military families, the fund provides health and accident insurance, disaster relief and concessional loans for housing, land purchases and vehicles.
According to the Army, these initiatives are designed to improve the living standards of serving and retired personnel and their families while helping them lead secure and financially independent lives after retirement.
Affordable healthcare and support for national health system
The Nepal Army's medical services date back to the establishment of Tribhuvan Chandra Military Hospital about 100 years ago, in 1983 BS. The service has since expanded, with Birendra Army Hospital now serving as its central and specialised facility. Army and field hospitals across all provinces, along with designated civilian hospitals, provide treatment to beneficiaries.
The Welfare Fund also reimburses treatment costs at 18 designated civilian hospitals. Improvements in outpatient coverage for patients with serious illnesses, medicine management and digital service delivery have made healthcare more accessible.
In fiscal year 2082/83, around 500,000 beneficiaries received medical services. Another 1,026 patients with serious illnesses received treatment support of up to Rs 160,000 each.
The deployment of scholarship trained doctors and nurses, recruitment of medical personnel and digital record keeping through the Welfare Manpower Management (WMM) system have improved service delivery.
Skills, entrepreneurship and post retirement independence
The fund promotes vocational training, employment and entrepreneurship to help serving and retired personnel use their military experience and skills in productive sectors.
Through its ePIS centres in each province, it provides concessional loans, business training and entrepreneurship support for ventures in agriculture, industry and commerce.
The programme aims to help retired personnel establish businesses and startups rather than depend solely on employment opportunities. More than 8,000 beneficiaries have received vocational training, while around 2,200 people are directly employed across the fund's institutions.
Social protection and financial support
The fund provides health insurance for patients with serious illnesses, accident insurance for families of personnel killed in the line of duty, and financial assistance to those affected by natural disasters.
Concessional loans for housing, land and vehicle purchases also support military families. More than 110,000 personnel have benefited from these loan facilities.
Financial sustainability and economic contribution
With around one million beneficiaries, rising obligations and declining income sources have created challenges for the fund's long-term financial sustainability.
Lower interest earnings from banks and reductions in UN peacekeeping personnel and budgets have affected its income. Diversifying revenue sources and investing in projects with long term returns have therefore become priorities.
The fund is preparing to operate a 10 MW solar power project in Sainamaina, Rupandehi, to diversify its income and support Nepal's renewable energy policy.
It also contributes up to Rs 700 million annually in taxes to the government, adding to its contribution to the national economy.
The Army Welfare Fund has evolved into a social security institution supporting serving and retired personnel and their families through education, healthcare, employment and financial assistance. Maintaining its financial sustainability while meeting growing obligations remains essential to ensuring continued support for military families.
