Kathmandu – The Health Insurance Board has decided to reinstate 13 major referral hospitals across the country as ‘First Service Points’ under the national health insurance program until the end of Ashoj. As per the directives of the Ministry of Health and Population, the board has decided to restore the facility of the first service point that was previously removed.

On Shrawan 1, the Board had issued a circular preventing referral hospitals from acting as the ‘First Service Points’ (Pratham Sewa Bindu) for insured patients, effective from Shrawan 1, 2082. This led to confusion and disruption in services at hospitals such as BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan, Dhulikhel Hospital, Gandaki Medical College, and Rapti Academy of Health Sciences.

After strong opposition from local-level stakeholders, the board, based on a letter from the Ministry of Health and Population, has decided to resume services until the end of Ashoj.

According to Board spokesperson Bikesh Malla, the reinstatement applies to 13 referral hospitals located outside the Kathmandu Valley. In parallel, the Board has urged local governments to expedite the establishment of separate, designated First Service Points to reduce dependency on high-level referral hospitals.

The 13 Referral Hospitals Reinstated as First Service Points:

Koshi Hospital

BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan

Narayani Hospital, Birgunj

Gajendra Narayan Singh Hospital, Rajbiraj

BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, Bharatpur

Bharatpur Hospital

Western Regional Hospital, Pokhara

GP Koirala Respiratory Centre, Tanahun

Sushil Koirala Prakhar Cancer Hospital, Banke

Bheri Hospital, Nepalgunj

Rapti Academy of Health Sciences, Dang

Karnali Academy of Health Sciences, Jumla

Dadeldhura Hospital, Dadeldhura