Kathmandu. Minister of Health and Population Dr. Dr. Sudha Sharma Gautam has said that the premium fund is being misused in the health insurance program. He claimed that the insurance program would be made sustainable, transparent and systematic to control misuse.

Minister Dr. Shyam Prasad Shrestha assumed office on Kartik 10, 2082. Gautam said this while unveiling the progress of her three months in office. According to her, policy-level and behavioral reforms have been forwarded to resolve the structural problems seen in the health sector.

She said the details of 189 injured had been sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs so far by developing a working procedure for classifying those injured during the Genji protests. “Arrangements have been made for free medical treatment to the injured and a proposal has been sent to the Ministry of Finance for ensuring necessary resources to provide free health treatment to the families of martyrs,” she said.

Minister Gautam said that process has been forwarded to amend the Health Insurance Act, Health Service Act, Drugs Act, National Academy of Medical Sciences Act and Health Worker Security Act through ordinance.

Similarly, the process to appoint members lying vacant for long at the Nepal Health Professional Council has been forwarded and a special programme has been launched to reduce maternal mortality rate in Lumbini, Karnali, Gandaki and Madhes provinces which have high maternal mortality rate in the survey.

Minister Gautam pledged to move the health system towards winning the trust of the citizens by keeping transparency, accountability and effective service delivery at the centre.