Kathmandu: Health and Population Minister Pradeep Poudel has announced that central government hospitals will continue to serve as the first service point for health insurance in areas where alternative facilities are not available nearby.

Response to Public Difficulties
Minister Poudel made the announcement via social media, responding to public concerns following the Health Insurance Board's recent decision to shift the first service point to the local level, removing it from private and government hospitals.

"To address the inconvenience caused by the removal of the first service point of health insurance, we’ve decided to retain the facility in central government hospitals in places where no nearby alternative exists," Poudel stated.

Previous Policy Caused Problems in Remote Areas
The board's earlier move was intended to decentralize health services. However, in many locations where central hospitals are inaccessible, this change disrupted access to basic health insurance services, drawing widespread complaints from affected citizens.

Acknowledging these difficulties, Minister Poudel has now directed that the current system be revised to keep central hospitals as first service points where necessary—until a better local alternative is established.

Coordination for Long-Term Solutions
Minister Poudel has also committed to working with provincial and local governments to ensure every local unit eventually has a designated first service point. Where facilities already exist, he plans to expand and upgrade services to improve overall accessibility and effectiveness.

He emphasized the government's policy of strengthening health insurance by making it more accessible at the grassroots level:

“We are committed to providing health insurance services closer to the people’s doorsteps by coordinating with provincial and local levels to set up or improve health institutions as required.”

Call for Feedback and Improvement
Minister Poudel assured the public that the government is continuously working to improve the health insurance program and increase its reach. He also welcomed public suggestions to help guide further reforms.

The move is expected to bring immediate relief to many citizens and reflects the ministry’s flexibility and responsiveness to real-world challenges in healthcare access.