The Ministry of Health (MoH) has launched health insurance programme in Ilam and Baglung, expanding the social protection scheme to three districts.

The government has been running the programme in Kailali since May 14 and over 8,000 persons have been enrolled in the programme so far. According to Dr Guna Raj Lohani, chief of the insurance unit of MoH, said all the households of Ilam and Baglung will be enrolled in the insurance programme that will cover healthcare cost up to Rs 10,000 per member. “The registration for the insurance has begun in these districts,” said Dr Lohani. 

Under the current health insurance programme, a household of five has to pay Rs 2,500 in annual insurance premium. Each additional household member will have to pay Rs 425.

The scheme covers medical expenses up to Rs 50,000 for each household. “The health services will be provided by primary health care centres and district hospitals,” said Dr Lohani.

In case of any referral cases, they will be sent to government hospitals. 

The amount would cover healthcare bills of the family members including cost of medicine, doctor’s consultancy fees and diagnostic services such as X-ray and blood tests. For patients willing to use private hospital services, the MoH is planning to sign an agreement with private hospitals.

Dr Lohani said the MoH would soon tie-up with private medical schools.

According to the MoH, increased healthcare expenses have become one of the major contributing factors for poverty, and the health insurance programme provides a cushion against such external shocks. The insurance programme running in current district was first proposed during the budget speech of fiscal year 2013-14. Then government had announced that the programme would be implemented in three districts by 2015-16.