Health Insurance to Be Made Mandatory for Nepalis Going Abroad for Employment

Kathmandu — The government has initiated formal steps to make health insurance mandatory for Nepali citizens traveling abroad for employment. Although the Health Insurance Act, 2074 had already included a provision under Section 3 requiring public servants and the families of migrant workers to be enrolled in the health insurance program, the provision had remained largely unimplemented until now.

To enforce this legal requirement, the Ministry of Health and Population has issued a circular instructing local governments, subordinate bodies, and related officials to facilitate implementation. The decision was made at the Health Secretary level on Jestha 26 (June 9). Following the circular, the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration has also directed the concerned agencies to begin enforcing the provision, based on a prior letter sent by the Health Ministry to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.

Dr. Raghuraj Kafle, Executive Director of the Health Insurance Board, said that this is a significant step toward enforcing a long-overdue legal requirement. Health Secretary Dr. Bikash Devkota added that the ministry is committed to expanding insurance affiliation across all remaining sectors as well.

Furthermore, citizens returning from foreign employment will be able to continue receiving insurance benefits upon their return.