KATHMANDU: Minister for Health and Population Pradip Paudel has begun internal preparations to enroll all civil servants and organized sector employees in Nepal’s national health insurance program.
This initiative aligns with provisions in the recently announced policies and programs and the federal budget, both of which highlight the inclusion of public service employees under the health insurance scheme, in accordance with the Health Insurance Act, 2017.
To ensure effective implementation, Minister Paudel has decided to engage with all ministries, constitutional commissions, and departments under the federal government. Similarly, he plans to coordinate through the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers for provincial-level entities, and through the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration to reach all local governments.
The ministry is also preparing to include employees from the organized private sector in the insurance program. This move is expected to strengthen the Health Insurance Fund, making the program more sustainable, according to a report by the Health Insurance Reform Taskforce.
Minister Paudel had successfully ensured this agenda was included in the government’s official policies and budget through his proposal. Implementation efforts have now begun, with the ministry initiating official correspondence and planning further procedural steps, informed ministry spokesperson Dr. Prakash Budhathoki.
Dr. Raghuraj Kafle, Executive Director of the Health Insurance Board, said that although the provision existed in the Act, it had not been effectively implemented. Including all civil servants, he noted, would significantly strengthen the program:
“Currently, high-risk groups dominate enrollment, putting financial pressure on government subsidies. Broader participation from public employees would help balance the system and enhance its sustainability,” he said.
According to internal estimates, if existing government health assistance programs are integrated under the health insurance framework as stipulated by the law, the Board could secure up to Rs 40 billion in additional annual resources.
Previously, the Board received around Rs 7.5 billion annually, but this year’s budget has raised that amount to Rs 10 billion following Minister Poudel’s continued dialogue with Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Additionally, the government has pledged to settle outstanding dues in the upcoming fiscal year.
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