KATHMANDU, June 16: Minister for Health and Population Birodh Khatiwada has said that the implementation of the health insurance program would not be entrusted to private companies. 

In response to the queries raised by parliamentarians at Wednesday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, Health Minister Khatiwada clarified he would not implement the decision although the Appropriation Bill has included a provision to allow private companies to implement health insurance programs. “I would not implement the health insurance program included in the budget in a way to hand over its responsibility to a private company,” he said, adding, “I would do whatever the Health Act has stated”. 

Minister Khatiwada shared that the government is introducing an act to bring all health-related institutions under one umbrella. A draft of the law is being outlined, the minister added. “No patient admitted to government hospitals has been returned without treatment just because they don't have money.”

Minister Khatiwada also said that necessary preparations have been made to overcome possible pandemic of the next variant of coronavirus. “Oxygen, intensive care units (ICU) and ventilators are in ready position,” he informed the parliamentarians. “Our existing structures and human resources are enough to tackle the next round of pandemic,” the Minister further added.

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