Govt responsible for managing health insurance: Health Minister

Kathmandu, March 19: Minister for Health and Population, Pradip Paudel, has pointed out the need for a legal provision to make the government responsible for health insurance of the Nepalis, especially of those below the poverty line.

As many as 18 per cent of Nepalis are below the poverty line in Nepal, as per the latest statistics.     

It was significant in deed to have a proposal of public importance registered at the House of Representatives by a lawmaker Dr Sunil Kumar Sharma on guarantee of health reform and accessible medical treatment, Minister Paudel observed.     

Minister Paudel underlined guarantee of the people below poverty line access the health insurance. "There are 6.6 million households, which need to be linked to health insurance compulsorily. The well off ones can afford the health insurance, but the needy ones must be provided this service by the State itself," he stressed.     

According to him, the Ministry had prepared a proposal to launch a contribution-based health insurance and secure resources for it.     

 Currently, the health insurance is implemented in all 753 local levels. The number of service providers stands at 484. Among them, 403 are government hospitals, 48 private hospitals and 33 community hospitals.     

The Minister shared the plight that there is no stable resource for health insurance, neither the income ensured. "We can manage this scheme by setting up an insurance fund.     

The government is for taking stringent action against those misusing the health insurance scheme.(RSS)