The Ministry of Health and Food Safety, through its Quality Measurement and Regulation Division, has instructed all government hospitals and institutions, private medical college hospitals and community hospitals to implement the government’s Free Health Portal (freehealth.mohp.gov.np). The portal was developed as part of the government’s administrative reform programme to improve access to free treatment for poor, helpless and destitute patients.

Hospitals are required to compulsorily register and regularly update real-time information on free beds and patients receiving free treatment through the portal. The directive reinforces provisions of the Target Group Free Treatment Portal (Operation and Management) Procedure, 2083, which establishes a standardized system for recording and monitoring free healthcare services.

Hospitals must also place a digital or physical information board at their main entrance and exit/departure point, showing the daily availability of free beds and details of free services. The board must prominently display the Free Health Portal QR code and website address, allowing patients and families to access information and register complaints. The ministry said mandatory implementation is intended to make treatment easier and more transparent for vulnerable patients.