Govt to implement health insurance program in all 77 districts

Kathmandu: The government has started implementing health insurance boards in 77 districts in the current fiscal year.

After paying Rs 3,500 to a family of up to five people through the insurance program, the members of the household can get free medical treatment at a hospital designated by the government. After having more than 5 members, one has to pay Rs. 700 per member. There is an arrangement for more than 5 members to get free treatment from Rs 20,000 to Rs 200,000 per member.

The board has listed 375 government and private hospitals across the country for the insurance program. Family members who have applied for treatment insurance in those hospitals will be able to get free treatment up to Rs 100,000.

Even though the insurance program is being implemented in 69 districts so far, 371,962 people from 742,192 households are participating in the insurance program.

The government had started the program from three districts including Kailali, Ilam and Baglung on March 9, 2008, with the objective of providing quality health care to all citizens.