HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAMME

The Kathmandu Post

13 October 2017

HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAMME

The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) made a welcome move a few months ago regarding universal health coverage. This bill has now been endorsed by Parliament, opening the door for the government to implement this policy throughout the country (“House nod to landmark bill to ensure universal care” October 11, Page 1). MoHP had started this programme as a pilot project in a few districts and the response have been positive. This new law will come into force once the President authorises it.

This is an important step towards ensuring health care services for all citizens as envisioned by the new constitution. The whole idea of this programme is to ensure that all citizens have access to preventive, curative and rehabilitative health services. According to this programme, a household of five has to pay an annual premium of Rs. 2,500 to get services worth upto Rs 50,000. For each additional member, Rs 425 has to be paid for receiving health services worth up to Rs 10,000. This premium will be levied depending upon the salary level of each family. If any family is unable to pay the premium, the government will pay for it.

However, the government has to go a long way for the effective implementation of local health delivery system. Each health service outlet established at the village council level lacks proper infrastructure, trained health personnel and adequate medicines. Unless these things are properly taken care of by the government, the concept of universal health care programme may not be effective in giving decent health delivery services to the people.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Via email

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