Syangja district has seen significant participation in the national health insurance programme, with 67% of its population now enrolled, as reported by the district’s Health Insurance Board. With a population of 254,277 as per the 2021 National Census, 170,159 people are currently covered by the health insurance scheme, which includes 87,608 women and 82,551 men.
Household Coverage and Senior Citizen Inclusion
Approximately 80% of households in the district are also participating in the programme. Out of the district’s 70,721 households, 56,074 have enrolled in the health insurance plan. Notably, while the coverage seems higher than the population ratio, this is due to the inclusion of one elderly member per household in the data, which increases the total count.
As of the latest figures, the programme also covers 22,831 senior citizens and 33,243 other individuals, contributing to the higher-than-expected number of insured households.
Local Government Contributions
In the fiscal year 2024/25, the 11 local governments in Syangja collectively contributed Rs. 24.32 million towards the insurance fees. Notably, Kaligandaki Rural Municipality played a major role by paying Rs. 17.27 million, ensuring free health insurance for all residents within the municipality. The remaining 10 municipalities contributed Rs. 7.05 million in total. However, Harinas Rural Municipality did not allocate any funds for this initiative.
Government-Sponsored Health Insurance for Vulnerable Groups
The government has a special provision for the extremely poor, persons with complete disabilities, individuals with tuberculosis or leprosy, people living with HIV, and senior citizens aged 70 and above. These groups are eligible for free health insurance coverage up to Rs. 100,000.
Increasing Enrollment Through Awareness and Mobilization
Health Insurance Board officials, including Dhruba Hamal, have highlighted the steady rise in participation over recent years. To further facilitate the registration process, assistants have been mobilized in all 97 wards of Syangja district, increasing accessibility and encouraging more people to enroll. The growing awareness of the benefits of the programme is contributing to its continued expansion.
Premium and Coverage Details
For families, the scheme charges an annual premium of Rs. 3,500 for a family of up to five members. This provides healthcare services up to Rs. 100,000. Families with more than five members are required to pay an additional Rs. 700 per member, with coverage extended up to Rs. 200,000 for larger families.
The increasing enrollment figures and the active participation of local governments demonstrate the growing success of the national health insurance programme in Syangja district. With ongoing efforts to raise awareness and streamline the registration process, the programme is expected to continue expanding its reach, providing essential health coverage to an even larger portion of the district’s population in the coming years.
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