Government Mandates 10% Free Beds for Underprivileged Patients in Private and Public Hospitals

The government has decided to strictly implement a plan to provide at least 10 percent of hospital beds free of charge for underprivileged, helpless, and unclaimed patients in both public and private hospitals. To facilitate effective implementation, the government announced the launch of a nationwide ‘Free Health Portal’ within the next 30 days, which will monitor the details and usage of free services.

Within 30 days, hospitals in the provinces will initiate the establishment of ‘Burn Wards’ specifically for burn treatment. Additionally, a plan to maintain stand-by air ambulances for hilly regions has been proposed. On Chaitra 14, during an event held in Kathmandu, the government presented a 100-day agenda inclusive of various health sector improvement initiatives.

This government initiative aims to deliver healthcare services to individuals who have been denied treatment due to financial constraints. A digital and integrated ‘Patient Record System’ will be developed within three months to monitor real-time details and utilization of free services provided by hospitals.

To curb the tendency of unnecessary referrals in private hospitals, a clear referral protocol will be enforced. Furthermore, in public hospitals, measures such as ‘Attendance Monitoring,’ ‘Conduct Review,’ and ‘Cleanliness Audit’ will be made mandatory within a week to ensure the presence, behavior, hygiene, and service delivery by healthcare workers.