Jan 27, Kathmandu - Minister for Health and Population Dr. Sudha Gautam has emphasized that all three levels of government should invest to effectively operate health insurance.

While inspecting the Provincial Hospital Parbat this morning, Minister Gautam said that the federal government's budget alone is insufficient for the health insurance program, so the provincial government and local levels should also allocate budget. She said that many hospitals are still receiving complaints that they have not received the health insurance budget, and the government has not been able to make payments due to lack of budget.

She said that when the Ministry of Finance was told that there was no budget when they demanded it, nearly Rs 1 billion was paid to the Insurance Board from the Ministry of Health's own budget.

Minister Gautam said that she had urged the provincial government and local-level people's representatives in meetings under various provinces to allocate money for health insurance in the upcoming budget. Minister Gautam said that the current government is continuously taking initiatives to make health services accessible to all.

Stressing that adequate medicines, human resources and equipment should be managed in government health institutions, Minister Gautam said that there is no need to formulate various policies and plans to provide basic health facilities to the citizens. She said that some work could not be carried out due to the election code of conduct.

She said that the government would leave no stone unturned to treat the injured in the protests on Bhadra 23 and 24. She said that there was no problem in treating the injured, but the government was working on managing those who needed organ transplants. She informed that the government was holding necessary discussions as the families of the martyrs were demanding various services and facilities.

Minister Gautam stressed that everyone should cooperate to hold the upcoming election on Falgun 21 in a clean and fear-free environment. Stating that the government was making all preparations, she urged political parties, voters and the youth generation to also cooperate. She claimed that despite her short tenure, the next government was taking some reform work in the health sector forward.

On the occasion, Yam Pariyar, Chairman of Provincial Hospital Parbat, had submitted a demand letter containing various demands, including providing the necessary manpower, equipment and insurance funds for the hospital. According to her, the hospital is yet to receive Rs 30 million in insurance payments.