Health Insurance Board Director Kafle has submitted his resignation

Nepal Health News, Kathmandu:Dr. Raghuraj Kafle, Director of the Health Insurance Board, has resigned from his post. He submitted his resignation to the Prime Minister through the Ministry of Health.

Kafle, who hails from Tanahun, was appointed Director of the Health Insurance Board during the tenure of then Health Minister Pradeep Paudel.

His resignation comes at a time when the Board is under pressure due to the increasing financial burden of the health insurance program.

At present, citing non-payment of dues under the health insurance scheme, some major government hospitals have already publicly announced decisions to discontinue the program, while several other hospitals are also preparing to do the same.

It has been reported that the Health Insurance Board owes more than NPR 11 billion to service-providing health institutions. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance has clearly indicated that it would be difficult to provide additional subsidies if the insurance program continues in its current structure. Due to the lack of necessary financial support from the government, the health insurance program itself appears to be facing a serious crisis.