Health insurance in crisis due to government itself
Summary
Nepal's health insurance program faces a severe financial crisis with Rs 12 billion owed to hospitals and insufficient government funding, causing major hospitals to halt services under the scheme.
Key Points
- Nepal's health insurance program owes hospitals Rs 12 billion due to fund shortages, leading to service suspensions.
- About 30% of Nepal's population is enrolled, with over 50,000 daily beneficiaries, but financial mismanagement threatens sustainability.
- The government provides annual grants, but these are inadequate to cover rising liabilities estimated at Rs 45 billion.
- Parallel healthcare subsidies and lack of enrolment of civil servants weaken the insurance program's effectiveness.
