An overview of the impact that free essential health care is having on a variety of public health indicators.

This article presents an overview of the impact the new free health care policy has had at a number of health facilities around the Kathmandu Valley, noting how day-to-day operations have been affected, and which problems remain to be overcome. .

Kathmandu Post Editorial February 22, 2008: Nepal Joins Int’l Health Partnership
HSRSP Director Dr. Timmons explains how joining the IHP will assist Nepal in implementing pro-poor policies, strategies, and reforms, and how this will improve and hasten achievement of the Millennium Development Goals for health care

 

This brief article considers the barriers to accessing health care that many poor face. It goes on to argue the benefits of universal free health care and the abolition of user fees, and outlines the steps that must be taken to improve access to health care.