The government is planning to put a ceiling on the amount to be allocated to individuals for medical treatment of those individuals who have made special contribution to the country.

Once the new regulation comes into force, the needy could get a maximum of Rs 1.5 million from the state for his/her medical treatment.

Presently, the government provides medical treatment assistance to such individuals when they are diagnosed with heart and kidney diseases, cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, spinal cord injury, head injury and sickle cell anaemia.

Individuals, however, are entitled to this facility only when they have to be treated in foreign countries and they cannot afford the treatment.

The Ministry of Health has prepared a proposal of second amendment to the Citizens Relief, Compensation and Economic Assistance Procedure in order to put such ceiling. The ministry plans to present the amendment proposal at the upcoming meeting of the Council of Ministers for approval.

Besides, the proposal has calls for providing medical assistance, whenever it is necessary, up to Rs 500,000 to those individuals who have made significant contribution to the field of art, literature, music, politics and public administration, depending upon the nature of health problems of such individuals.

Minister for Health Gagan Thapa said the proposal aims to curb possible misappropriation as there is possibility of misuse of state coffers in the lack of ceiling in the medical treatment facility provided to individuals.

The amendment draft also contains a provision which can deprive any distinguished personality of the facility in case the individual seeks treatment in a foreign country without the recommendation of the Nepal Medical Board.