Government Launches Free Health Portal to Ensure Transparency in Nepal’s Health Services
बैशाख ५, २०८३ १४:१
Kathmandu. The new government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) has taken a key step towards improving transparency and accessibility in healthcare through technology. As part of the 100-point ‘Government Reform Action Plan’ approved in the first cabinet meeting, the ‘Free Health Portal’, initially planned for completion within 30 days, has been launched in just 20 days.
Article 35 of the Constitution of Nepal 2072 guarantees every citizen the right to receive basic health services free of cost from the state and ensures that no one is deprived of emergency medical care. Likewise, Section 70 (D) of the Government of Nepal’s Health Institution Operation Standards 2077 mandates hospitals to allocate 10 percent of their total beds for free treatment of indigent, helpless, and abandoned patients.
In the past, weak implementation of these provisions meant that many citizens were unable to access treatment due to financial constraints. To address this issue, the new portal has been introduced to enable real-time monitoring of both government and private hospitals.
The government approved the 100-point reform agenda during the first Cabinet meeting held on March 27, 2026. According to a progress report released by the Ministry of Health and Population on Wednesday, the portal is now fully operational at https://freehealth.mohp.gov.np/ to support the implementation of free treatment for underprivileged citizens. So far, 15 hospitals have uploaded complete details on this portal regarding the mandatory allocation of 10 percent free beds.
This online system is expected to improve transparency in health services. The general public can access real-time data on total hospital beds, available free beds, occupied free beds, and vacant free beds. A complaint mechanism has also been introduced, allowing service users to report cases where hospitals fail to provide the mandated free beds.
Hospitals are required to log into the Health Management Information System (HMIS) at hmis.gov.np/hmis using their DHIS2 credentials. As per the operational manual, they must update hospital details under the ‘Hospital Information’ section, including hospital type, approved bed capacity, number of free beds, and contact details of responsible personnel.
Under the ‘Free Health Service Status’ section, hospitals must record detailed patient information, including identity details, name, gender, phone and emergency contact numbers, admission date, bed number, department, and diagnosis. To ensure accountability, scanned copies of referral letters from local-level authorities or ward offices must be uploaded
Beyond the Free Health Portal, the government is advancing several other reform initiatives in the health sector. Within three months, it plans to develop a digital, integrated, and interoperable ‘Patient Record System’ to centralize patient histories, referrals, and follow-up data. To reduce unnecessary referrals to private hospitals driven by commissions, a structured referral protocol has been implemented under the ‘Referral Directory 2082.’
The ‘Hospital Service Improvement Procedure, 2082’ has also been enforced to improve discipline, cleanliness, and service delivery standards in healthcare facilities. Attendance monitoring and cleanliness audits have been made mandatory, and complaint focal persons have been appointed in 30 hospitals. The Ministry of Health has reviewed 2,671 out of 3,122 complaints submitted via QR codes and is coordinating with relevant agencies for resolution.
In addition, the government has initiated plans to expand access to affordable medicines nationwide through the rollout of ‘Sulab Pharmacy’ within 100 days. A digital inventory system has already been introduced in government pharmacies to track medicine stock and pricing, while policies are being implemented to ensure medicines are sold under generic names at minimum cost
Efforts are also underway to address geographic barriers and improve specialized healthcare access. At the provincial level, burn treatment services at subsidized rates are being prepared in 23 hospitals; 9 federal and 14 provincial, within 30 days, aiming to reduce deaths and disabilities caused by delayed care.
For emergency response in remote and mountainous regions of Far-Western, Central, and Eastern Nepal, air ambulances have been placed on standby. Agreements have been signed with 11 helicopter companies to provide subsidized medical evacuation services for critical patients.
पछिल्लो अध्यावधिक: बैशाख ५, २०८३ १४:१
