Political Parties Prioritize Free Healthcare in Upcoming Elections Manifestos

Major political parties have made public health a central agenda item for the upcoming House of Representatives elections, emphasizing the provision of free medical treatment in their respective manifestos.

The Communist Party of Nepal (UML) manifesto includes providing free sanitary pads to adolescent girls in all schools. It also mentions providing a monthly allowance of NPR 20,000 and social security benefits to female health volunteers.

The UML has also announced a maternity allowance of NPR 20,000 and free life insurance coverage up to NPR 500,000 in its manifesto. The manifesto states a commitment to establishing world-class health services domestically by constructing hospital infrastructure at all levels, arranging modern equipment, determining service quality, and managing human resources.

The UML has stated its commitment to ensuring at least one General Practice and Emergency Medicine (MDGP) physician, nurses, laboratory, and pharmacy services at primary health care centers. It also mentions upgrading district hospitals to provide minimum services and establishing an effective referral system at the provincial level.

Similarly, the Nepali Congress's 'Pratigyapatra' (Pledge Paper) states the goal of ending the situation where citizens have to pay out-of-pocket for medical treatment and ensuring free and quality healthcare services. The pledge paper also mentions implementing a provision where all levels of government must allocate 10 percent of their total budget to the health sector.

The Congress states that all treatments will be covered by health insurance, and the state will cover the premium for those who do not have the income to pay for health insurance, as mentioned in the pledge paper. Other health-related issues mentioned include operating first-level service points from all local levels and providing free treatment for children under three years old and senior citizens above 73 years of age.

The Communist Party of Nepal (CPN)'s 'Pratibaddhata Patra' (Commitment Letter) aims to enroll 100% of the population in health insurance by 2088 BS. It also sets a target to reduce the current health expenditure, which is around 54%, to less than 35% by 2088 BS.

The manifesto mentions deploying 'middle-level' health teams in every ward, community, and school. These teams will provide regular health check-ups, lifestyle counseling, and disease prevention services.

Furthermore, outpatient services (OPD) in government hospitals will operate in two shifts, from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM throughout the year, and services at health posts will be extended 365 days a year. The commitment letter also mentions providing free health check-ups for youth seeking employment abroad. The CPN has stated that a central framework agreement and a government procurement system will be implemented to end irregularities in medicine procurement.

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP)'s 'Wachapatra' (Manifesto) mentions bringing all health-related social security programs under a single-window system. The manifesto also mentions adopting a prevention-oriented strategy rather than just treatment for non-communicable diseases like cancer, establishing a burn treatment fund, and constructing a world-class specialized burn hospital to ensure free and quality treatment for burn victims.

To make mental health services easily accessible to citizens, the manifesto proposes establishing a separate, empowered department, providing primary mental health care through special doctors in all district hospitals, and offering services through a 24-hour helpline. The manifesto also mentions operating yoga and meditation programs and institutionalizing alternative treatment methods based on scientific study.