Kathmandu, February 25

The Ministry of Health and Population has said the government will not bear the medical expenses of any person for treatment in a foreign country as per the Public Health Service Act, 2018.

A notice issued by the MoHA stated that the legal provision had come into effect after it was published in the Nepal Gazette. Section 30 of the act states, “The Government of Nepal shall not bear medical expenses of any person if s/he is required to go or be taken abroad for treatment.”

The MoHP said no one would be entitled to any amount from the Disadvantaged Citizens Medical Treatment Fund for the cost incurred while receiving treatment abroad. The government had recently endorsed the ‘Disadvantaged Citizens Medical Treatment Fund Directive’ for establishment of a separate fund under the MoHP to provide financial aid to needy citizens for medical care and treatment.

Any beneficiary shall be entitled to a grant amount of up to Rs 400,000 for treatment for prescribed diseases within Nepal on the recommendation of a three-member committee led by the chief of the concerned local level. Any needy citizen suffering from cardiovascular disease, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, spinal injury, head injury, renal ailment and sickle cell anemia may submit an application, accompanied by a recommendation of the local level, to the committee.

Upon receipt of an application, the committee shall make a recommendation to a government hospital for providing necessary treatment to the concerned patient. The concerned hospital may refer the patient to any other government health facility within Nepal in a manner to avail the treatment grant not exceeding the prescribed amount. A person diagnosed with renal disease will get up to Rs 400,000, and cardiovascular disease and other prescribed diseases up to Rs 100,000 depending on severity of the case.

Earlier, the government used to provide millions to former VVIPs, VIPs, ministers and political leaders from the state coffers for their treatment in foreign hospitals, while depriving the general public of even minor medical service in the country.