KATHMANDU: The government has directed all public, private, and community hospitals across the country to mandatorily operate a Free Health Portal to publish details of free treatment services provided to poor, helpless, and unattended patients.
The Ministry of Health and Food Safety issued a circular on Thursday instructing government health institutions, private medical colleges, private hospitals, and community hospitals to immediately implement the system.
According to the ministry, the portal has been launched under point number 85 (a) of the “100-point Governance Reform Plan” endorsed by the Cabinet meeting on April 27.
The ministry said the initiative aims to ensure easier access to free treatment for underprivileged and vulnerable citizens through a centralized digital system.
Under the directive, all hospitals must regularly update details of free beds and patients receiving free treatment in real time on the portal.
The “Targeted Group Free Treatment Portal Operation and Management Procedure” also requires hospitals to display daily information on available free beds and services at main entrances and exits through digital or physical notice boards.
Hospitals are further required to include the portal’s QR code and web address on such boards to allow the public to file complaints or submit grievances easily.
Ministry IT Director Suraj Prakash Aryal said the system is expected to make free health services more accessible for poor, helpless, and unattended patients while improving transparency and accountability in service delivery.
The ministry has urged all health institutions to strictly comply with the directive and ensure effective implementation of free treatment services.
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