POKHARA: Nearly half of Gandaki Province’s population is now covered by health insurance, according to data shared by the Health Insurance Board during a program marking the 9th Health Insurance Day on Monday.
Out of the province’s total population of 2,466,427, more than 1.2 million people—approximately 49%—are enrolled in the health insurance scheme, said Jiblal Kharel, Coordinator of the Health Insurance Board Gandaki Province.
Speaking at the event organized in Pokhara, Kharel emphasized that the number of insured individuals is steadily increasing and efforts are underway to bring more citizens under coverage. He also addressed the need to counter negative perceptions about health insurance by promoting its benefits.
Dr. Ramesh KC, Health Administrator at the Ministry of Health of Gandaki Province and member-secretary of the Provincial Health Insurance Coordination Committee, noted that while health insurance has a global history of over 140 years, Nepal’s program is still in its early stages, having started just nine years ago.
Dr. KC stressed the importance of effective implementation through better coordination among service providers, beneficiaries, and the Health Insurance Board. “Improving both the quality and effectiveness of the insurance scheme is crucial,” he added.
Representatives from various hospitals, including Manipal Teaching Hospital, Western Regional Hospital, Drishti Eye Hospital, and Matri Shishu Hospital, along with registration officers, shared insights on the current challenges facing the program.
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