Kathmandu: A development economist, Dr Raghu Raj Kafle, has been appointed the Executive Director of the Health Insurance Board.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Dr Kafle secured the position from a shortlist of three candidates recommended by the selection committee, as confirmed by the private secretariat of the Minister for Health and Population, Pradip Paudel.
A total of 10 candidates were initially selected to apply for the post, all of whom participated in presentations and interviews conducted on March 2-3. The selection committee put forward Dr Krishna Prasad Adhikari and Kamal Panthi alongside Dr Kafle for consideration by the Council of Ministers.
Previously, Dr Kafle contributed to the health insurance reform taskforce established by Minister Paudel. The taskforce provided a report to the Minister detailing potential improvements for the health insurance scheme.
Dr Kafle brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having served as Vice Chairman of the Gandaki Policy and Planning Commission and Executive of the Foreign Employment Board. His career also includes over a decade as a senior officer with the UNDP.