KATHMANDU: A nine-member committee tasked with reforming Nepal’s health insurance sector has submitted its comprehensive report to Health and Population Minister Pradeep Paudel.
During the handover ceremony held at the Ministry of Health and Population, Paudel highlighted the urgency of health insurance reform, committing to implement the recommendations outlined in the report.
“The current program has not been well-managed, and the target groups are not fully benefiting. This report provides a roadmap for addressing these challenges,” he said.
Paudel also assured that the report would be studied thoroughly, submitted to the Council of Ministers, and made public soon.
The report, he said, marks a significant step in addressing the inefficiencies of the existing health insurance system.
Ministry Secretary Hari Prasad Mainali praised the collaborative efforts behind the report, stating that it includes strategies to develop a robust action plan for the sector.
The committee, formed on September 25, 2024, under the leadership of senior public health expert Dr Shambhu Prasad Acharya, evaluated opportunities and challenges in health insurance, incorporating insights from global practices and neighboring countries with established health insurance systems.
Dr Acharya highlighted the report’s focus on immediate and long-term improvements to ensure the effective operation of the health insurance program.
“This is a large-scale initiative, and the recommendations aim to strengthen and streamline the system,” said Acharya.
The reform committee featured a diverse panel of experts, including Dr Raghuraj Kafle, former vice-chairman of the Policy and Planning Commission of Gandaki Province; senior heart surgeon Prof Dr Bhagwan Koirala; and representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security, and National Planning Commission.
Additionally, the Health Insurance Board’s executive director, the Ministry’s Quality Measurement and Regulation Division head, and private sector representatives contributed to the report’s formulation.
Comment