Thapa calls for health insurance reform

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 9: Nepali Congress president and former Health Minister Gagan Kumar Thapa has committed to making health insurance a programme of national pride. In a video message on Sunday, Thapa said that reform of the health insurance programme was essential.

He added that his team is preparing a plan to make the disability insurance programme successful. “Health insurance should be mandatory for every Nepali citizen to increase their access to healthcare for all,” Thapa said.

He suggested increasing taxes on tobacco products, alcohol, and other harmful items, and using the revenue generated from those taxes to fund health insurance. He also said that the insurance programme could be pushed forward effectively if social security and health-related programmes are integrated, operating under the insurance system, and if coordination among the three levels of government is strengthened.

He emphasised that coordination among all political parties is essential to improve the insurance programme. “We must create a situation where insurance services can be provided by all health institutions, including private ones,” he stated.

He further stressed the need to improve governance within the health insurance system. 

Thapa said he had done extensive homework on how to make services effective, ensure timely payments, prevent leakage, and implement structural reforms.

“After the election to the House of Representatives, arrangements can be made to cover all expenses incurred by the insured by expanding insurance coverage. If the insurance system is improved and services are made effective, no Nepali should be deprived of treatment due to lack of money,” he said.

Ahead of the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, Thapa stated that his party and its leaders have carried out detailed exercises to improve insurance services.