Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: The Health Insurance Board (HIB) has directed the private hospitals to make arrangements for the treatment of patients in need of emergency service under the insurance facility.

Senior Medical Superintendent of the Board Dr Pawan Kumar Saha said directives have been issued to ensure that health services under the insurance were seen only if any patient needed emergency treatment.

The Board had suspended all health services except emergency provided by private health institutions associated with the health insurance programme from June 30 in view of the lack of financial resources. The Board has also urged the government not to provide emergency treatment service to the patients of normal nature as it would put a burden on the insurance.

Similarly, it has also urged the service recipients not to force service providers and health workers to provide services except in case of necessity by creating unnecessary pressure. A total of 36 private hospitals have been providing health services to the insured people.