The Family Welfare Division under the Department of Health Services has asked the Ministry of Health and Population to direct all agencies concerned to stop health facilities from charging patients for services under free health programmes.

The move of the division comes amid complaints from patients that they are being forced to pay for services the government has committed to providing free.

Despite the government’s pledge, some health facilities, especially private hospitals, medical colleges, and community hospitals, have been found charging patients for these services, while also claiming reimbursements from the Family Welfare Division, and the government’s health insurance programme.

“The health ministry reimburses the cost of services that designated health facilities provide under free health programmes,” said Dr Bibek Kumar Lal, director at the division. “There have been many instances of duplications of bills, and we have requested the ministry’s intervention to prevent health facilities from charging patients extra.”

The health ministry provides 98 types of medicines for communicable and non-communicable diseases free of cost from state-run health facilities. Apart from that, dozens of other health services—child health services, including immunisation, maternal health services that include free delivery services, family planning means, and tuberculosis medicines—are also free at health facilities, which have agreements with the ministry.

All basic health services provided by the basic-level health facilities run by local governments are also free. The Health Ministry later reimburses these health facilities for the services.

Apart from this, the Health Insurance Board also reimburses the treatment costs of insured patients.

“Complaints have been lodged against health facilities, especially private hospitals, medical colleges, and some community hospitals, for charging patients for services they are supposed to provide free of cost,” said Dr Prakash Budhathoky, spokesperson for the Health Ministry. “The government reimburses the amount of the free programmes, and the Health Insurance Board reimburses the treatment cost of the insured people. But we have found that many patients are being forced to pay.”

Health Ministry officials say that they have already warned several health facilities of stern action for charging extra for services they are reimbursed for.

“We are revising the guidelines to discourage health facilities from charging patients extra,” said Budhathoky. “We are also working to implement a one-door policy for free programmes to prevent duplication in billing and exploitation of patients.”