Kathmandu, Jan 29: Minister for Health and Population Dr Sudha Gautam Sharma has said that reform initiatives targeting the health insurance programme are underway.
Addressing the 30th anniversary of the Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre here today, the Minister said the government is working on initiatives aimed at further systematising the health insurance programme.
She said problems emerged after the budget allocated to the health insurance scheme became larger than the Ministry’s overall budget itself.
According to the Minister, doctors prescribing medicines beyond actual necessity and patients making unnecessary claims contributed to the problem, and the government is working to address these issues.
The Minister added that the federal government is currently bearing the sole financial burden of the health insurance programme, stressing the need for coordination among all three tiers of government to make the programme successful and sustainable.
She further clarified that the government will immediately provide funds to hospitals treating patients from indigent communities and for social service budgets. She also applauded the Centre’s contribution to the treatment and prevention of heart diseases.
Hospital Executive Director Prof Dr Rabi Malla said the hospital provides quality services in the control, prevention, and treatment of heart diseases. The hospital, which began heart treatment with just nine beds in 2056 BS, has now expanded to 305 beds.
Senior heart surgeon Dr Ramesh Koirala said the hospital recorded 1,990 heart surgeries last year alone, and urged the government to give it additional priority for further promotion.
