Health Minister Gautam: Government Allocates 10 Arba for Health Insurance This Fiscal Year

Kathmandu: Minister for Health and Population Sudha Gautam has stated that the government has allocated 10 arba rupees for health insurance in the current fiscal year. Speaking on Friday, she mentioned that the government set aside this amount for insurance and emphasized that programs must be operated within the boundaries of the annual budget.

She said, "After taking responsibility as a minister, one has to discuss both the pleasant and unpleasant matters. I have finished the pleasant parts; now comes the issue of insurance money. 

There is a lot of money outstanding. There are claims that the Ministry of Health has not provided the funds. However, the government allocated 10 arba rupees for insurance this fiscal year. That is our annual budget. We must operate programs within the limits of the annual budget. We cannot go beyond that."

Similarly, she noted that the Insurance Board has been operating in a way that creates an annual liability of 24 arba rupees without obtaining resource clearance or ensuring funding, reminding that the money comes from the people's taxes. She added, "The Insurance Board has been spending without resource agreement or ensuring funds, leading to an annual liability of 24 arba. 

Questions may arise about where the government will get this money. That money belongs to you and me. The government provides that service through the taxes paid by the poor from their hard-earned blood and sweat. The government does not pluck money from a tree."

She further remarked that while focus should be placed on how to properly utilize tax revenue, Nepalese citizens have become complacent, assuming the government will simply provide everything.