Nepal's Health Insurance Initiative: Challenges and Early Outcomes
A recent study evaluates Nepal's National Health Insurance Program, revealing challenges like low enrollment and administrative issues, while highlighting its potential to improve healthcare utilization with systemic improvements.
Nepal's National Health Insurance Program (NHIP), launched in 2016, aimed to enhance healthcare accessibility and shield citizens from exorbitant medical expenses. Despite these noble goals, the program has faced hurdles such as low enrollment figures and significant dropout rates. A recent comprehensive study conducted by CUNY School of Public Health doctoral graduate Rajani Bharati delves into the underlying reasons behind these challenges and examines the initial impacts of the initiative.
The research highlights that individuals' perceptions of healthcare quality significantly influence their decisions to join or avoid the insurance scheme. Key barriers identified include limited awareness about the insurance, delays in coverage activation post-registration, complex referral procedures, and difficulties accessing healthcare facilities. Additionally, many potential enrollees expressed concerns about affording premiums and questioned the utility of insurance for their needs.
Health workers reported that while NHIP led to increased patient visits and referrals, it also added to administrative burdens. However, resources such as reimbursements, medicine procurement processes, and informational support did not scale proportionally, hampering effective implementation. Despite these obstacles, data from the study indicates that even with approximately 5% enrollment, districts implementing NHIP experienced higher patient turnout and referral rates. This suggests that the program can positively influence healthcare utilization, provided the overall health system's quality and accessibility are sufficient.
To optimize NHIP's effectiveness, experts recommend enhancing public awareness campaigns, streamlining administrative procedures, improving access to health facilities, and ensuring adequate resource allocation and staffing. Such measures are vital for guiding Nepal closer toward achieving universal health coverage.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-nepal-health-early-impacts.html
Stay Updated with Mia's Feed
Get the latest health & wellness insights delivered straight to your inbox.
Related Articles
Study Finds No Advantage of Enhanced Protein Nutrition in Critical Illness Recovery
A comprehensive study finds that increasing protein intake during critical illness offers no significant improvement in patient recovery outcomes, prompting calls for further research into nutritional strategies in ICU care.
Expanding Diversity in Family Building Through IVF Advances
Recent IVF data from Australia and New Zealand highlight increased inclusivity and technological advancements, enabling diverse family structures through safer and more effective reproductive options.
Innovative Precision Medicine Strategy Shows Promise for Ovarian Cancer Treatment
A groundbreaking study reveals a new combination treatment targeting key growth pathways in ovarian cancer, offering hope for improved therapies against this challenging disease.
Exploring the Connection Between Fatigue and Breast Cancer Recurrence
Emerging research indicates a measurable link between fatigue and inflammation in breast cancer survivors, shedding light on new approaches for personalized fatigue management to reduce recurrence risk.