Kathmandu, 24 Chaitra – According to Subsection 1 of Section 25 of the Health Insurance Act 2074, any board member who is absent from three consecutive meetings without notification is automatically suspended. The Act states, “If a chairman, member, or executive director is absent from three consecutive board meetings without informing the board, their position shall be deemed vacant.”
Junu Shrestha, who was appointed as a member of the Health Insurance Board, had attended 11 meetings. On 4 Baisakh 2081, the Insurance Board sent a letter to the Ministry of Health requesting necessary implementation actions. Subsequently, Junu unexpectedly attended the meeting held on Monday. She was originally appointed to the board by then Health Minister Mohan Bahadur Basnet.
As per the rule that a position becomes vacant if a member is absent from three meetings without notification, former board director Dr. Raghuraj Kafle sent a letter to the Ministry of Health. The letter stated, “From 1 Poush 2081 until now, from the fourth board meeting of fiscal year 2081-82 through the eleventh board meeting, there has been continuous absence. The member’s absence has impacted the board’s meetings and decision-making process.”
Since she was physically absent, Junu was removed and her board membership was declared vacant. Since then, the seat has remained vacant, and her name is no longer listed on the board’s website. However, she attended Monday’s meeting. “Junu was present at yesterday’s meeting and marked attendance,” a board member confirmed.
According to other board members, Junu Shrestha’s repeated absences were discussed in meetings. The chairman raised concerns about her absence for three consecutive meetings, although she had not been formally dismissed. Junu had traveled to the UK for studies and after returning recently, she requested board members to allow her participation in meetings.
Meanwhile, Junu met with Health Minister Nisha Mehtas to discuss her situation. “She was not called to the previous two meetings and informed that she had spoken with the minister,” a board member said. “She was included in the most recent meeting.”
Seven members, including the executive director, were present at Monday’s meeting. Junu Shrestha is the wife of Labour Minister Deepak Kumar Shah. Media reports stated that Health Minister Nisha Mehtas appointed Junu Shrestha to the Health Insurance Board as a member.
Following social media discussions on this matter, Junu denied having any new appointment or receiving any official letter, providing clarification. “I have no connection with the reported news regarding appointment as a Health Insurance Board member, nor have I received any appointment letter,” she wrote on social media.
Junu clarified that her previous appointment was in 2080, valid for four years until 2084. She stated, “I have no knowledge of any reappointment and have not received any official notification regarding it. Therefore, the recent appointment news is misleading and I regret the confusion.”
The Meeting Approved the Annual Budget
One board member said that the meeting held on Monday approved the annual budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2082/083. The insurance program will mark its 10th anniversary on 25 Chaitra, and preparations were discussed for an event to be held on the occasion.
According to board members, the main agenda of the meeting was to approve the budget necessary for annual programming. “The budget was approved to facilitate the publication of a book that will be unveiled at tomorrow’s anniversary event,” a member explained.
The meeting also initiated preliminary discussions on amending the Health Insurance Act. Identified points requiring revision will be further studied and final decisions will be made at the next meeting, members added.
“Junu participated as a member in yesterday’s meeting and her attendance was recorded,” said one member.
