Kathmandu. The Health Insurance Board, which has been providing health insurance services under the social security program for civil servants, has been removed from the Federal Civil Service Bill.
The Federal Civil Service Bill, which was passed by the House of Representatives on Sunday, states that the health insurance program of civil servants will be linked with the Social Security Fund. The bill will be tabled in the National Assembly for discussion. If the provisions of the bill are passed without changing, the Health Insurance Board will not be able to insure the health of civil servants.
Section 52 of the bill provides for the implementation of health insurance related schemes. According to the provision, the health insurance of civil servants will be linked to the Social Security Fund. Section 52 states, “The Government of Nepal shall implement a contribution-based health insurance scheme by linking it with the Social Security Fund established in accordance with the prevailing law for the treatment of the family members of civil servants and civil servants.” ’
At a time when the Ministry of Health and Population is in the process of bringing formal sector employees, including civil servants, into insurance as per the Health Insurance Act and Regulations, the bill passed by the Parliament has legally invalidated the Health Insurance Board.
Chairman of the Health Insurance Board, Chandra Thapa, has said that there is a provision in the Health Insurance Act to include all citizens in the Health Insurance Act.
Section 3 sub-section 4 of the Health Insurance Act, 2074 BS provides that according to the prevailing law, the family members of the workers who are considered civil servants and workers going for foreign employment should be associated with the health insurance program. Under this provision, the Ministry of Health had sent a letter two weeks ago to the employees of the local level offices across the country to be included in the health insurance.
According to the health insurance regulations, the organized sector, including civil servants, will contribute 1 percent of the salary and the government will contribute 2 percent by adding an additional 1 percent to the annual contribution amount not exceeding Rs 10,000 to join the health insurance.
