KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Finance has released an additional Rs 3.84 billion for health-related programs, including health insurance payments.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel has decided to release the amount based on the demand of the Ministry of Health and Population.

Of the total amount, Rs 3 billion is for the Health Insurance Board, Rs 600 million for the treatment of senior citizens, and Rs 240 million is for the Shaheed Gangalal National Heart Center for free treatment of heart disease patients.