KATHMANDU: The government has approved the “Indigent Citizen’s Medication Programme Operation Directive, 2080 BS (First Amendment 2082 BS),” which mandates that patients with chronic illnesses must be enrolled in the government’s Health Insurance Scheme to be eligible for drawing the aid amount.

According to the revised directive, the Ministry of Health and Population has integrated the Social Health Security Programme into a one-door system, which will come into effect from Kartik 1 (October 17, 2025).

Under this new provision, patients from indigent communities suffering from any of the following eight chronic diseases: heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimers, spinal injury, head injury, and sickle cell anemia shall be enrolled in the health insurance program so as to receive financial assistance. The payments will be made by the Health Insurance Board.

Since the Board will now be solely responsible for disbursing government grants for chronic illness treatment, all patients currently receiving assistance or those seeking future grants are required to be associated with the insurance scheme.

The Ministry has already urged beneficiaries who are currently receiving grants to enroll in the insurance programme by mid-October to ensure uninterrupted access to services.

To facilitate the implementation of this revised provision, a letter has been sent to both the Health Insurance Board and the Nursing and Social Security Division within the Ministry, according to Ministry spokesperson Dr Prakash Budhathoki.