Freedom Forum (FF) has successfully conducted performance audit surveys focusing on the Social Security Allowance Program and the National Health Insurance Scheme. The findings and detailed survey reports have been officially handed over to the Performance Audit Directorate of the Office of the Auditor General Nepal (OAGN).
This study was conducted under the Citizen Participation in Audit (CPA) initiative. The surveys follow a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between FF and OAGN on January 5, 2026, for participation in performance audits for the fiscal year 2082/83. This marks the latest chapter in a five-year collaboration where FF has supported OAGN in promoting civic oversight.
This year’s performance audit focused on two vital public service sectors that directly affect citizens.
Social Security Allowance Program: Evaluated data management, service delivery, and citizen access. The survey tracked the entire process from registration to the receipt of funds, assessing the ease of access for 65 senior citizens and 45 widowed single women (110 total respondents) across 12 wards in six municipalities within the Kathmandu Valley.
National Health Insurance Scheme: Assessed the gap between medicines covered under the insurance scheme and those purchased out-of-pocket by beneficiaries. Surveyors gathered feedback from 69 insured citizens across eight hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley.
Using structured questionnaires provided by the OAGN, four FF surveyors—Subash Dahal, Nanu Maiya Khadka, Aruna Adhikari and Manju Dahal—engaged in direct field surveys, stakeholder discussions, and evidence collection.
Beyond the formal questionnaires, the team documented independent observations regarding the hospital environments and service delivery hurdles. These qualitative findings and recommendations were submitted in a separate report to the OAGN to provide a holistic view of the current systemic challenges.
As a leading civil society organization (CSO), Freedom Forum has been a pioneer of the CPA initiative in Nepal. The organization has trained over 95 citizen auditors and established a robust national network.
Following previous years’ audits, FF remains committed to advocating for greater citizen engagement in the auditing process to ensure government accountability.
