Kathmandu. Poor citizens who have joined the health insurance will get integrated facilities of eight types of severe diseases from October 1. At present, patients suffering from heart, kidney, cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, spinal injury, head injury and sickle cell anemia are getting this facility.

The Ministry of Health and Population is going to implement this system from next November as per the decision of the Ministry of Health and Population to integrate social health protection programs in the one-door system.

The Ministry has recently approved the ‘Poor Citizen Drug Treatment Program Operation Guidelines, 2080 (First Amendment 2082)’ for the implementation of the integrated facility. According to the revised guidelines, all payments for the treatment facilities being provided to the poor citizens would be made through the Health Insurance Board.

Spokesperson at the Ministry, Dr Prakash Budhathoki, said that this facility is available only through the health insurance system, so all the poor citizens who are currently taking services or wanting to get new services should compulsorily join the health insurance.

He said, “We have requested to register with the insurance by mid-September so that the services of the patients currently undergoing treatment are continued.” This arrangement will ensure the proper utilization of the resources of the state by bringing the scattered programs into a one-door system. ’

Spokesperson Budhathoki said that a letter has been sent to the Health Insurance Board and Nursing and Social Security Division directing them to make arrangements for registration in the insurance by mid-October.