Ilam: Minister for Health and Population, Pradip Paudel, has declared that hospitals can no longer make excuses for a lack of medicines under the health insurance scheme. During a monitoring visit to Ilam Hospital, he emphasized that all hospitals participating in the health insurance program must maintain the medicines specified by the Health Insurance Board.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the Health Minister asserted that it is unlawful for hospitals to claim a shortage of medicines. He insisted that hospitals are required to keep the designated medicines on hand. The government and the Board have outlined 98 types of medicines to be available under the health insurance program.
Minister Paudel mentioned that the Ministry of Health is taking necessary actions to ensure compliance. While acknowledging existing challenges in managing the insurance, he noted ongoing improvements and efforts to upgrade the District Hospital.
Dr. Prabhu Shah, Chief of Ilam Hospital, raised concerns about the hospital’s insufficient number of doctors relative to the allocated quota. In response, the Health Minister explained that doctors typically prefer urban postings, but the Ministry plans to enforce rules requiring doctors to work in their assigned locations.
The Health Minister reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to addressing district hospitals’ needs for medical equipment and facilities, based on their specific requirements.