Abstract

The Interim Constitution of Nepal of 2007 stated, for the first time, that: ‘Every citizen shall have the right to get basic health service free of cost from the State as provided for in the law’. This makes “health for all” a fundamental human right and given this commitment, the Ministry of Health and Population has implemented a policy aimed at providing free health services. This has been progressively rolled out since December 2006.

This study offers a rapid assessment of how the policy is being implemented. It examines the accessibility of services, the utilisation of free health care by targeted groups, expenditure per patient under the free health care programme and the financial impact of the policy on facilities. The report offers recommendations to strengthen the operation of the policy.