Ministry of Health Requests Clarification from Chief Public Health Administrator and Health Insurance Board Director

March 12, Kathmandu – The Ministry of Health and Population has formally requested clarification from Chief Public Health Administrator Dr. Bhim Prasad Sapkota and Executive Director of the Health Insurance Board, Dr. Krishna Prasad Paudel. The ministry seeks explanations regarding the appointment of members to the Health Insurance Board.

The ministry has asked Dr. Sapkota and Dr. Paudel to submit a clear response within three days concerning news reports about member appointments to the Health Insurance Board and their attendance at board meetings. Reports in the media have raised concerns over the preparation of documents related to board member appointments, meeting minutes, decisions, and the role of staff in these processes.

A letter signed by Dipendra Dahal, an officer from the ministry’s Personnel Administration Division, requests the two officials to clarify their involvement or responsibility regarding these issues and the reasons behind the reported problems. The controversy escalated following the reintroduction of inactive board member June Shrestha to the meetings. Shrestha is the wife of recently dismissed Minister Dipak Sah. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) recalled Minister Sah, accusing him of misusing his position by actively involving his wife, who had been inactive for a long time, as a regular member of the Health Insurance Board.