Health ministry warns of taking action against individuals circulating misleading advertisements about health insurance

Published On: April 19, 2024 04:10 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, April 19: The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) has warned of taking action against individuals who create and circulate misleading advertisements about health insurance on social media platforms.

The MoHP has stated that those involved in such activities will be penalized, as it has been discovered that individuals are spreading misleading advertisements and information claiming to offer free health insurance while falsely using the logo of the Government of Nepal.

Advertisements that falsely claim to provide free health insurance for various age groups, bearing the Government of Nepal's logo and wrongfully attributed to the Ministry of Health and Population, have been found circulating on social media platforms like Facebook. The ministry has urged the public to refrain from engaging with such advertisements, emphasizing their lack of authenticity.

Ministry spokesperson Dr. Prakash Budhathoki has stated that legal measures have been implemented to prevent the dissemination of such false and misleading information and advertisements.

Additionally, the MoHP has announced plans to take action against doctors, health workers, and employees who are found working full-time in private health institutions without proper authorization.

Increased surveillance measures have been implemented following complaints that employees and health workers are engaged in full-time employment at private health institutions and foreign establishments, regardless of whether they have obtained leave approval from the ministry.

In an appeal issued by the MoHP's Secretary, Madhu Sudan Burlakoti, it has been emphasized that individuals engaging in full-time employment without leave approval will be held personally accountable for their actions, as this contravenes existing laws and regulations.

"The ministry earnestly urges doctors, health workers, and employees involved in activities contrary to prevailing laws and regulations to act in a restrained and law-abiding manner," the appeal reads.