Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: The Health Insurance Board (HIB) has paid dues to the health providing institutions till mid-December of the current fiscal year. Issuing a press release today, the Board stated that Rs 23.44 billion has been paid to the health institutions providing the arrears.

According to the Board, the claim arrears of all the service-providing health institutions affiliated to the Health Insurance Board have been cleared till mid-November. The Board has stated that it is continuously coordinating and taking initiatives with the bodies concerned to manage the budget required to pay the claims since last January and to ensure sustainable financial resources.

The health insurance board has also directed all the service providing health institutions to provide quality health services to the insured people without creating any kind of obstruction or difficulties in the treatment of the insured customers.

The Board has urged all the insured people to utilize the services provided under the health insurance by taking responsibility and not to demand unnecessary health services or tests. Similarly, the Board has also urged doctors and health workers not to exert pressure for unnecessary tests and treatment and to play their important role in maintaining the sustainability and effectiveness of the health insurance programme.