Abstract
The willingness to pay for services can not be equated with ability to pay for it. Despite of Alma-Ata declaration in 1978, developing countries have numerous challenges to meet the goal of health for all. In the quest for increasing access to health for all, Government of Nepal has recently introduced free health care policy. The efficacy of its implementation, operational challenges and issues related to the free health care, need to be reviewed. The unnecessary use of services, quality of care, risk of medicalization of public health services, mismanagement of drugs and health worker resistance towards the policy are some of its key challenges. To overcome these, community awareness and participation to monitor implementation of the policy is necessary and long term efficacy of this service has yet to be observed. Key words: community monitoring system; free health care policy; participation DOI: 10.3126/jnhrc.v7i2.3024 Journal of Nepal Health Research Council Vol.7(2) Apr 2009 138-139
Highlights
The Alma-Ata declaration is promoting health for all.[1]
Evidence from other low-income countries showed that provision of free health service increases its use.[4]
A clear policy, increment in the infrastructure and human resource management would be of outmost important before widespread implementation of this program
Summary
The Alma-Ata declaration is promoting health for all.[1] 30 years after its declaration the underutilization of health services especially by poor and marginalized has become a big problem in developing countries like Nepal.2 In our context, financial aspect has become an important barrier for the accessibility to health for all.[3] The willingness to pay for the services can not be equated with ability to pay for it. The issue of health for all is a challenge for developing countries like ours e.g. in Tanzania, public hospital saw attendance drop by 53% when user fee was introduced. Some of the important issue that has been highlighted, if addressed can help long term sustainability of this service in our country
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
