Kathmandu, February 7

The government has endorsed the ‘Disadvantaged Citizens Medical Treatment Fund Directive’ for the establishment of a separate fund under the Ministry of Health and Population to provide financial assistance to needy citizens for their medical care and treatment.

The directive, recently endorsed by the MoHP, was made public today. Any beneficiary shall be entitled to a grant amount of up to Rs 400,000 for the treatment of 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 directive states. The concerned hospital may refer the patient to any other government health facility in a manner to enjoy the treatment grant not exceeding the prescribed amount.

Each hospital designated by the government shall establish a separate focal point for effective arrangement of medical services to be provided to disadvantaged citizens. The directive also envisages a seven-member medical treatment management committee headed by secretary of the Ministry of Health and Population to make the services and facilities qualitative, systematic and transparent. Social Health Security Section of the Department of Health Services shall operate disadvantaged citizens medical treatment programme.

According to the directive, at least 1.5 per cent of total annual budget of the DoHS shall be appropriated for the programme. “Any official or employee of  the local levels and hospitals acting contrary to this directive shall be liable to action under the prevailing law,” it states. The directive has listed 80 hospitals or health institutions for the treatment of disadvantaged citizens. 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.