सिंहदरबार संवाददाता
Kathmandu. Minister for Health and Population Pradeep Poudel has proposed to develop a system where 2 percent of the salary of those earning salaries from the state treasury and the private sector is deducted and deposited in the Health Insurance Fund.
The proposal was made while responding to questions raised during the discussion on the urgent public interest proposal related to health insurance in the House of Representatives’ meeting on Wednesday. He said that it is necessary to develop a system where everyone from the President to the office assistants contributes 2 percent of their salary to the Health Insurance Fund.
Minister Poudel also said that it is necessary to implement progressive premiums based on the economic status of the citizens. He said that the government should pay the premium of citizens below the poverty line and provide health services. He said that the Social Security Fund could not handle the insurance-related liabilities and a separate fund should be created for this.
He said, ‘We have made a policy in the Insurance Act. If I join the insurance, I will pay Rs 3,500. If there is a provision to contribute 2 percent of my salary to the insurance, I will have to pay Rs 17,000. Let us develop a system where everyone from the president to the office assistants and salaried workers in the organized and private sectors contribute to the insurance system. Let us develop a situation where salaried workers contribute to the insurance fund. Then who can pay how much premium? It is not about imposing an additional amount.’
‘His financial status has been established by paying taxes. This is a very small amount. Therefore, let us implement progressive premiums. So that citizens who can contribute can contribute through premiums. Set a premium amount like the current 35 and create such a place. In this way, let’s make arrangements for the government to pay the premium of citizens below the poverty line who cannot pay the premium and provide health services. There are 6.6 million households in Nepal, let’s not leave anyone out of insurance,’ he said.
He said that arrangements should be made for all citizens to be included in compulsory health insurance.
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