KATHMANDU: Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), Balen Shah, has raised concerns to the Health and Population Minister, Mohan Bahadur Basnet, urging him to take necessary action against 68 health institutions that have failed to provide details of the discount facilities they are obligated to offer to underprivileged individuals in accordance with the law.

He strongly cautioned that unless Minister Basnet takes immediate action against these hospitals, he would consider the possibility of suspending the hospitals’ administrative services.

Mayor Shah met with Minister Basnet and highlighted the urgent need for action against the 68 health institutions that have neglected to provide the required information regarding the discount facilities offered to underprivileged individuals as mandated by the law.

Despite repeated requests from the KMC, these institutions have failed to comply with the necessary reporting obligations, he said.

As per the law, it stipulates that 10 percent of the total beds in healthcare institutions should be reserved for providing free treatment to individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and targeted groups.

Mayor Shah urged hospitals within the jurisdiction of the KMC to provide specific information regarding the discount facilities extended to the targeted group.

Mayor Shah took to social media saying, “We have drawn the attention of the Health Minister towards the need to regulate and take action against the 68 health institutions that have failed to provide the required information regarding the discount facilities. If these institutions are not brought into compliance with the legal framework within a period of 7 days, it would leave us with no choice but to consider suspending the administration of these hospitals.”

According to the Constitution of Nepal and the existing laws, it is the responsibility of the state to ensure and guarantee fundamental rights related to basic health.