Hospitals Continue Charging 3% Health Equity Tax Despite Prime Minister's Announcement

Kathmandu. Despite Prime Minister Balen Shah announcing the removal of the three percent health equity tax, hospitals have been found to be charging patients extra fees. The Prime Minister had announced the removal of health and education equity tax through social media yesterday, Tuesday. However, patients who went to the hospital have complained that they are still paying the health equity tax.

Patients complained that Hams Hospital, Báyodha Hospital, and others charged them extra fees. A patient told Ratopati, ‘I had to see an ENT specialist. I paid an extra fee for that.’ The hospitals stated that they had to collect the three percent because a written letter from the administration had not yet been received by the patients. Upon inquiry at the billing departments of the hospitals, it was found that most hospitals are still charging the three percent fee.