The Government of Nepal has released NPR750m ($5.25m) to ensure the smooth functioning of its flagship National Health Insurance Programme (NHIP), that was facing financial crisis
Media sources report that the NPR?750m was reallocated from several other health initiatives within the current fiscal year to address the shortfall.
The government intervention came after more than three dozen private and community hospitals across the country temporarily suspended insurance-based healthcare services, citing delays in payments amounting to NPR11bn, according to the media outlet Khaborwala. The NHIP currently serves a vast majority of its enrolled population, with approximately 92% of beneficiaries actively using the services.
The NHIP was launched in 2016 and today covers millions of Nepalese citizens. The programme helps to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenses and expand access to essential medical services, but financial constraints have repeatedly undermined the programme's effectiveness.