He also claims that the insurance system has been facing problems due to providing as many services as it wants without ensuring resources.
What you should know
Minister for Health and Population Dr. Sudha Sharma Gautam has said that the Health Insurance Board has incurred a huge financial burden on the state as it has spent without ensuring resources and the consent of the Ministry of Finance.
Addressing the 18th anniversary of the Patan Institute of Health Sciences on Friday, she informed that 10 billion rupees have been spent on health insurance in the current fiscal year. ‘Our insurance board has not even taken source consent, nor has it ensured the source, and the liability has increased to the extent that it is being spent with an annual liability of 24 billion. Instead of asking where the Nepal government gets the money from, it should pay for it with the taxes paid by the poor citizens who have earned it with hard work. The government itself does not bring money from trees. We should understand how to be frugal and how to use it properly.’
He claims that the system has become problematic by providing as many services as we want without ensuring the source. ‘We should understand how to be frugal and how to use it properly,’ says Minister Sharma’s brother, ‘but we sit around thinking that the government will give it. The government is us. We have forgotten that we should give what we earn.'
She also mentioned that the constitution defines free health service as a fundamental right of citizens and that the sole responsibility for its implementation lies with the local government. She believes that the local level should make health services more effective and accessible.
Stating that financial discipline and proper allocation of resources are necessary for sustainable management of the health sector, Minister Sharma urged the insurance board to be responsible.
