Over 750,000 people enrolled in health insurance in Madhes Province

JANAKPURDHAM: The number of people enrolled in the health insurance program in Madhes Province has surpassed 750,000.

As of August 1,, a total of 779,265 individuals from all eight districts of the province have joined the government’s health insurance scheme, which aims to provide citizens with affordable and accessible healthcare services, according to Ramendra Prasad Kushwaha, the province coordinator of the Health Insurance Board.

This figure represents approximately 13 percent of the province’s total population. Based on the National Census 2078, Madhes Province has a population of 6,114,600.

Kushwaha said efforts are ongoing to enhance the program’s effectiveness through collaboration with local governments and the provincial administration.

With financial backing from the provincial government, health insurance has been provided free of charge to families of martyrs in the province.

Last fiscal year, Rs. 4 million was allocated for this purpose. However, Kushwaha noted challenges in fully enrolling all martyr families due to difficulties in identifying them, verifying their addresses, and tracking families who have migrated.

He further stated that efforts are being made to bring government-operated basic hospitals under the scope of the insurance program.

Additionally, for patients suffering from severe conditions—such as cancer, heart disease, kidney failure requiring dialysis, head trauma, and spinal injuries—an extra insurance coverage limit of Rs. 100,000 has been introduced, based on documented medical needs.