Himal Press 
Photo: Dipesh Shrestha/Himal Press
KATHMANDU: The government has made it mandatory for the organized sector to enroll in the health insurance program.
Presenting the government’s policies and programs for the fiscal year 2024/25 on Tuesday, President Poudel said a provision has been made for mandatory enrollment in health insurance for the organized sector. “The government will make arrangements for mandatory enrollment in health insurance for all organized sectors, including government, non-government, and others across the country,” Poudel said.
Although related regulations and laws have already made the provision mandatory, it has not yet come into implementation.
Likewise, the government has unveiled a plan to operate outpatient services in two shifts at hospitals with adequate infrastructure and human resources. To begin with, outpatient services will be provided in two phases at hospitals with adequate infrastructure and human resources, such as Bir Hospital, National Trauma Center, and Kanti Children’s Hospital.
Similarly, the government has decided to expedite the construction of basic hospitals in different local units. The government has also stated that federal hospitals or institutes of health sciences at the provincial level will be gradually upgraded to 500-bed hospitals.
Likewise, the government has announced that the vaccine against cervical cancer will be extended to district hospitals. All girls aged 10 to 14 years will be vaccinated against cervical cancer at all district hospitals.
The government has also stated that the public health surveillance system will be strengthened for pandemic prevention and control, and preparedness for health emergencies.
Likewise, the government has said that it would develop the Shahid Gangalal National Heart Center as an institution capable of producing specialists in cardiology. Similarly, it said that prenatal and newborn screening services will be initiated at the Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital to identify congenital disabilities or exceptional conditions.
Similarly, the government has stated that necessary arrangements will be made to set up senior citizen wards in all hospitals to facilitate easy access to health services for the elderly. Similarly, it plans to start telemedicine services in at least one federal hospital and at least two hospitals in each province.
