Kathmandu- Bir Hospital has reduced services provided under the national health insurance scheme, citing prolonged non-payment of dues by the Health Insurance Board.
The hospital, which had been providing medicines for up to three months at a time to patients suffering from chronic diseases under the insurance program, has now decided to limit the supply to one month only. The new arrangement came into effect from 1 Falgun and will remain in place until further notice. A notice issued by the hospital states that insured members will now receive medicines for one month at a time.
Hospital Director Dr. Dilip Sharma said the decision was taken due to mounting financial pressure. According to him, the hospital has yet to receive more than Rs 400 million in reimbursement from the insurance board. “As a hospital that primarily serves low-income patients, we cannot completely shut services. However, we have been compelled to reduce them to lower our financial liabilities,” he said.
Dr. Sharma added that the hospital is facing serious difficulties in procuring medicines and maintaining equipment. “Since government payments have not been released, we are struggling to purchase medicines and maintain medical equipment. It is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain services,” he stated.
The health insurance program nationwide is facing a severe financial crisis. Several large hospitals have already announced deadlines to discontinue services under the scheme due to delayed payments. According to data from the Health Insurance Board, more than Rs 11 billion in payments to listed health institutions remained outstanding as of mid-Ashar.
Experts warn that continued delays not only restrict access to healthcare for insured citizens but also threaten the long-term sustainability of the national health insurance program itself.
