Kathmandu, Jan. 27 -- After the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH), Maharajgunj halted health insurance services over unpaid dues, the Ministry of Health and Population has sought permission from the Ministry of Finance to transfer Rs 1 billion to keep the services running.

Officials at the Health Insurance Board hope that health insurance services can resume if the board is provided with the amount.

"Most health facilities have issues of overdue payments," said Bikesh Malla, information officer at the board. "Some hospitals have also been complaining about the low service rates paid by the government. We are also working to revise service prices."

Thousands of ailing people have been deprived of treatment at the TUTH, after...