Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle Clarifies Health Insurance Budget Allocation
21st August 2026, Kathmandu
Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle stated that the government has not reduced the budget allocated for the national health insurance program.
Health Insurance Budget Allocation
He made these remarks during a dialogue session titled Citizens, Policy and Leadership, hosted by the Rastriya Swatantra Party at its central office in Baneshwor.
Budget Adjustments and Growth
Previous Year Allocation: The former government initially set aside NPR 10 billion for the health insurance program.
Mid-Year Supplement: Because the initial funding proved insufficient to cover obligations, an additional NPR 11 billion was injected into the program.
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Current Year Budget: The allocation has been increased by NPR 5 billion compared to the previous base budget, bringing the total current funding to NPR 15 billion.
Program Evaluation and Implementation
Dr Wagle acknowledged that while government financial liabilities toward health insurance continue to expand, concerns remain regarding whether citizens are receiving services proportionate to the state investment.
He confirmed that health insurance services continue to run through public hospitals and noted that administrative reviews and studies are active to enhance the overall delivery, accessibility, and effectiveness of the program.
For More: Health Insurance Budget Allocation
