Jhapa district has recorded the highest number of participants in the government-run health insurance program under the Social Security scheme.

According to Laxmi Kandel, coordinator of the Health Insurance Board’s Liaison Office in Jhapa, a total of 762,686 people in the district are insured. Nationwide, 9,967,790 individuals are enrolled in the program. After Jhapa, the districts with the highest number of insured people are Morang with 614,290, followed by Sunsari with 575,695, and Chitwan with 565,710 insured individuals.

Kandel stated that 69.67 percent of Jhapa’s population is covered by health insurance. Among the district’s 15 municipalities, Damak Municipality has the highest number of insured individuals—111,080. He explained that this figure exceeds the official population due to the inclusion of Bhutanese refugees. On the other hand, Jhapa Rural Municipality has the lowest coverage in the district, with 14,974 people insured, which accounts for only 38 percent of its population.

Other municipalities also show significant enrollment in the program. In Arjundhara Municipality, 49,769 people are insured, while Bhadrapur has 55,083, Bahradashi Rural Municipality 20,327, Birtamod 81,949, Buddhashanti Rural Municipality 38,647, and Gauradaha Municipality 46,931. Likewise, Gauriganj Rural Municipality has 19,410 insured individuals, Haldibari has 25,090, and Kachankawal Rural Municipality has 26,267. Kamal Rural Municipality has 48,312 insured people, Kankai Municipality 41,911, Mechinagar 78,652, and Shivasatakshi 57,409.

Kandel noted that public interest in the health insurance program is growing, with more people renewing their membership. Many citizens from target groups are also enrolled. Insured individuals are currently receiving services from 14 primary healthcare providers in the district, including the Provincial Hospital in Bhadrapur. Referred patients are being treated at hospitals such as B&C in Birtamod, Kankai Hospital, Omsai Pathibhara in Bhadrapur, NIMS in Damak, AMDA, and Damak Hospital. Additionally, services are being provided through five eye hospitals in Jhapa under the insurance scheme.

However, Kandel pointed out that a shortage of staff at the liaison office has created challenges in coordinating with municipalities and healthcare providers, which could affect the program’s overall efficiency. -- RSS