Nepal eliminates health costs after deadly floods
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The Nepalese government removed health insurance fees and identification requirements for residents of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts following devastating floods on August 26.
The Health Insurance Board directed facilities to waive co-payments normally required for treatment and to bypass the need for physical insurance cards. Instead, health workers will verify insurance status electronically through the board’s system.
These changes apply for three months, as the government designated the three districts as disaster crisis zones to accelerate rescue, relief, and medical support. The government also lifted financial limits within the national health insurance scheme for the same period. The Bhotekoshi river flood caused widespread damage to homes, roads, and bridges in the affected areas. As of September 9, officials reported 1,367 deaths and 5,132 people still missing. Dr.
Pawan Kumar Sah of the Health Insurance Board confirmed health facilities received instructions to put the new provisions into effect immediately.
