Kathmandu, Feb. 5 -- Prime Minister Sushila Karki has expressed concern over a funding shortfall in the national health insurance programme, which provides coverage to over 10 million people or nearly one-third of Nepal's population.

Summoning Minister for Health and Population, Dr Sudha Gautam and senior officials, Karki said that hundreds of thousands of people who cannot afford to pay out of pocket for health care would be deprived of treatment if the health insurance programme is stopped.

"As the prime minister showed concerns about problems with the health insurance programme by summoning the minister and senior health officials to her office, we hope that the government will provide funds to clear all outstanding dues," said Bikes...