Integrated health benefits for impoverished citizens from Oct 18

KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Health and Population has announced that starting from Oct 18, impoverished citizens enrolled in the health insurance program will receive integrated benefits covering treatment for eight severe diseases.

Currently, patients suffering from heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, spinal injury, head injury, and sickle cell anemia are receiving these benefits.

The new initiative aims to unify social health security programs under a single-window system to streamline service delivery.

To implement this integrated facility, the ministry recently approved the amended “Guidelines for the Operation of the Impoverished Citizens’ Medicine and Treatment Program, 2080 (First Amendment 2082).”

According to the revised guidelines, all treatment payments for impoverished citizens will be made through the Health Insurance Board.

Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, spokesperson for the Ministry, emphasized that these benefits will only be available through the health insurance system.

Therefore, all impoverished citizens currently receiving services or seeking new treatment must be enrolled in health insurance.

He stated, “To ensure continuity of care for patients currently undergoing treatment, we have requested that they register for insurance by the end of Ashoj. This approach will consolidate fragmented programs into a unified system, ensuring the efficient use of state resources.”

To facilitate this, the Ministry has issued directives to the Health Insurance Board and the Nursing and Social Security Division to ensure all current beneficiaries complete their insurance registration by the end of Ashoj.