Health Ministry introduces mandatory free bed provision in Hospitals for poor patients

Kathmandu: The Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene has implemented a new procedure to ensure free treatment for poor, helpless, and destitute citizens in hospitals across the country.

According to the ‘Targeted Category Free Treatment Portal Procedure 2083’, all government, private, and community hospitals must mandatorily allocate at least 10 percent of their total approved beds for patients from the poor category. The procedure was approved by Health Minister Nisha Mehta through a ministerial decision.

Patients admitted to free beds will receive all health services available in the hospital free of charge, including beds, medical consultations, surgeries, laboratory tests, and medicines required for treatment. Such patients will not be discriminated against compared to those paying for services.

Patients seeking to avail this facility must submit a poor identity card, a recommendation from the municipality, or a police certificate. In emergency cases, services can be accessed through a self-declaration form, but the required documents must be submitted before discharge.

The public will be able to check the availability of free beds in different hospitals through the ‘Free Health Portal’ launched by the ministry.

The procedure further states that if any hospital charges fees from patients admitted under free beds or provides false information on the portal, action will be taken, including suspension or cancellation of the hospital’s operating license.