More people join health insurance scheme in Rukum East

By Jayman Buda Magar,Rukum East, Aug. 21: Residents of Rukum East are interested in the health insurance scheme thanks to its coverage of treatment costs and elimination of out-of-pocket expenses. 

Since the programme's launch in 2017, 10,279 people of the district have enrolled, including 5,527 women and 4,752 men, in the scheme.

Those without health insurance have to pay for medicine and treatment. However, those with health insurance, require only the insurance premium. 

As a result, more citizens are opting for health insurance, which covers up to Rs. 100,000 in medicines and treatment.

Initially, those who were reluctant to get health insurance are now recommending and encouraging others to join the scheme. 

Sapana Pun, Registrar at the liaison office of the Health Insurance Board, said that the number of people enrolling in health insurance has steadily increased over the years.

Pun informed that 4,528 people in Bhume Rural Municipality, 3,068 in Sisne Rural Municipality and 2,683 in Putha Uttarganga Rural Municipality have enrolled in health insurance.

To further increase these numbers, Pun mentioned that there are ongoing discussions and coordination with local authorities and various stakeholders.

For households with five members, the annual cost for insurance and renewal is Rs. 3,500. Families with more than five members can add Rs. 700 per additional member to their insurance plan.

Pun stated that households with five members receive medicine and treatment facilities worth up to Rs. 100,000 for a year.

Pun informed that the households with more than five members receive an additional benefit of Rs. 20,000 per extra member.

Pun also mentioned that free health insurance is available for disabled persons with ‘A’ category, senior citizens aged over 70 years and patients with leprosy, tuberculosis, and HIV, among others.

Similarly, women health volunteers and their families receive a 50 per cent discount on the insurance charge.

Pun stated that the provision of affordable medicine, treatment, and free insurance for government-designated target groups has led to an increase in the number of people registering with health insurance.

Additionally, the local government in the district has been actively supporting the health insurance programme. 

Bhumey and Putha Uttarganga Rural Municipalities have been providing health insurance to families of martyrs, the injured, disabled, chronically ill and families living under the line of poverty.