Over 100 Medical Officers Refuse Health Insurance Board Jobs, Citing Heavy Workload

 Kathmandu, July 10 — Over 100 medical officers selected for temporary positions at the Health Insurance Board have rejected their job offers, expressing dissatisfaction with the terms outlined in their contracts.

Out of 180 medical officers chosen on June 1 for a three-month contract, around 110 have declined to accept their appointment letters. Although they completed the required training, many are refusing to join unless the contract terms and job descriptions are revised.

Their main concern is Clause 11, which requires each officer to review 400 insurance claims per day — totaling about Rs 2.5 to 3 million in claim amounts. They say this workload is unrealistic.

“We completed the three-day training, but going through 400 claims in a day would leave less than a minute for each one — it’s just not possible,” said one officer. He added that a more reasonable target would be around 150 claims in a typical seven-hour workday.

The officers also oppose Clause 12, which allows for four hours of extra work after the regular 10 am to 5 pm shift. They argue this violates basic labor rights.

In addition, Clause 18 states that if tasks are not completed within working hours, officers must finish them later without additional pay. Their salary will only be released once a supervisor confirms their work is complete. These terms, they say, are unfair and exploitative.

The officers have raised their concerns with the Ministry of Health.

Despite the protests, Health Insurance Board spokesperson Bikesh Malla Thakuri defended the workload, saying, “The target is not unreasonable. Our current staff handles up to 600 claims a day.”

He added that July 10 is the final deadline for accepting the job offers. So far, only 70 officers have picked up their appointment letters. Those who don’t respond by the deadline will lose their chance, and the positions will be given to alternate candidates.