67% citizens enrolled in health insurance scheme

BY RADHA KRISHNA DUMRE,Waling, Sep. 26: A total of 67 per cent of residents in Syangja district have enrolled in the national health insurance programme.

According to the Syangja branch of the Health Insurance Board, out of the district’s population of 254,277, (as per the 2021 National Census), 170,159 people have been insured, including 87,608 women and 82,551 men.

Based on household data, nearly 80 per cent of families in the district are part of the insurance programme. Out of 70,721 households, 56,074 have joined the scheme. Officials said that while 22,831 senior citizens and 33,243 individuals are registered under the scheme, the number of insured households appears higher compared to the population ratio, as one elderly member is counted per family.

During the fiscal year 2024/25, the 11 local governments in Syangja contributed a total of Rs. 24.32 million in insurance fees. Among them, Kaligandaki Rural Municipality alone paid Rs. 17.27 million, covering all of its residents with free health insurance. Of the remaining 10 municipalities, nine together contributed Rs. 7.05 million, while Harinas Rural Municipality did not allocate any funds under this category, according to branch coordinator Dhruba Hamal.

The government provides free health insurance coverage of up to Rs. 100,000 for the extremely poor, persons with complete disabilities, individuals with tuberculosis or leprosy, people living with HIV, and senior citizens over the age of 70.

Coordinator Hamal said that participation in the health insurance programme had been steadily increasing in recent years. To facilitate registrations, assistants have been mobilised across all 97 wards of the district. He added that as more citizens become aware of the benefits, enrollment continues to rise.

Under the scheme, a family of five pays an annual premium of Rs. 3,500 and receives up to Rs. 100,000 worth of healthcare services. For families with more than six members, an additional Rs. 700 is charged per member, with coverage extended up to Rs. 200,000.