Omission of Health Insurance Programme in govt's 100-point reform plan raises concern

 Kathmandu, Mar. 30: The 100-point agenda for governance reform made public by the government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah has left out the health insurance programme, which is considered to be the backbone of the health sector.

Following the new government's agenda, stakeholders have expressed concern about the issue.

Health insurance employees and health sector stakeholders have expressed concern that this important and urgent issue in the health sector failed to make it to government priority.

The new government has emphasized several health issues, including the provision that 10 per cent of total beds in government and private hospitals shall be made available free of charge.

“To end the situation where poor, helpless and destitute patients do not have access to hospital services, are deprived of treatment due to financial reasons, and to enhance social responsibility in both the government and private sectors, a system of providing at least 10 per cent of the total beds in government and private hospitals free of charge shall be strictly implemented immediately,” read the 100-point agenda.

Similarly, the 100-point agenda also stated that a free health portal will be implemented across the country within 30 days.

It is also announced that the government will develop a digital, integrated and interconnected health information system for patient records within three months to manage patient treatment history, referral, re-service and clinical follow-up.

More than seven health care agendas have been included in the 100-point agenda that was made public by the new government Saturday.

Despite several ambitious agendas included in the 100-point agenda, questions and concerns have arisen because health insurance has been left out of the agenda.

The concerns also arose because the Rastriya Swatantra Party that formed the new government had emphasized the health insurance issue in its election manifesto.

Talking to The Rising Nepal, Dr. Krishna Prasad Paudel, CEO at the Health Insurance Board, said that the insurance programme should have been addressed.

“The insurance issue should have been addressed, as the insurance programme is essential for the financial security of individuals. As the insurance programme faces challenges, it should have been taken as a major priority,” said Dr. Paudel.

However, Nisha Mehta, newly appointed Minister of Health and Population, stated that the 

government is preparing a separate scheme to save the health insurance programme.

Speaking with The Rising Nepal, Minister Mehta said that the government is currently holding discussions and consulting with experts regarding the insurance programme.

“The government is preparing to bring a separate plan to solve the health insurance issue. For this, we are currently discussing and consulting with experts. The government will bring a separate plan to solve the health insurance programme,” said Minister Mehta.