Kathmandu. Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle has said that the government has not reduced the budget for the health insurance programme.
Minister Wagle said this at a dialogue titled ‘Citizen, Policy and Leadership’ organized by Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) at party headquarters Banasthali. He made this clear while responding to the queries of the citizens who participated in the discussion about the government’s view on health insurance.
Last year, the erstwhile government had allocated Rs 10 billion for the health insurance scheme, but it did not reach the budget of Rs 11 billion, said Wagle. The government has allocated Rs 15 billion for health insurance in this year’s budget, he added. “Last year, the government had allocated Rs 10 billion for health insurance. But I have increased Rs 11 billion after I became the minister,” he said, adding, “I have allocated Rs 15 billion for health insurance in this year’s budget.” ’
Finance Minister Wagle said that the government’s responsibility towards health insurance is still increasing but there is doubt whether the citizens are getting the service as per the investment. Stating that the health insurance programme was being continued in the government hospitals, he said studies were being carried out to make it more effective.
