Pokhara: The health insurance coverage has reached 49 per cent of the population in Gandaki Province. The total population of the Province is 2 million 466 thousand and 427, and one million 207 thousand and 172 people have health insurance. This information was shared at a programme organized by the Health Insurance Board Gandaki Province Office in Pokhara on Monday on the occasion of the 9th Health Insurance Day.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Coordinator of Health Insurance Board Gandaki Province, Jiblal Kharel, highlighted that the number of insured people in the province is increasing, with ongoing efforts to incorporate more of the general public into the insurance scheme. He remarked on the effective global progress of health insurance programs and noted improvements in Nepal to keep pace with changing times. Kharel also mentioned the challenges of negative publicity towards health insurance in Nepal and emphasized the importance of spreading positive information to involve all citizens in the program.
Health Administrator at the Ministry of Health of Gandaki Province and member-secretary of the Gandaki Province Health Insurance Coordination Committee, Dr. Ramesh KC, noted the historical context of health insurance, which has been operational worldwide for 142 years and in Nepal for the past nine years. He stressed the need for effective implementation of the nascent program in Nepal, advocating for triangular coordination among beneficiaries, service provider hospitals, and the Health Insurance Board to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the insurance program.
Various stakeholders, including Rabindra Thakur of Manipal Teaching Hospital, Bidya Bastola of Western Regional Hospital, Shiva Pokharel of Drishti Eye Hospital, Om Thapa of Matri Shishu Hospital, and registration officers Goma Devi Adhikari, Pramila Poudel, Tej Bahadur Darlami, and Gautam Singh Dhami, shared their perspectives on the current status and challenges facing health insurance.