BAITADI, Dec 22: The first-ever registration process of health insurance has kicked off in Baitadi from today. 

Organizing a press conference on Wednesday, the Social Health Security Development Committee, Baitadi informed the public about the commencement of health insurance registration process. 

On the occasion, Committee's Executive Director Dr Hunaraj Lohoni shared that the health insurance program was launched to increase poor citizens' access to health service. 

The program piloted in three districts of the country – Kailali, Baglung and Ilam – is to be expanded in 25 districts of far-western region including Baitadi and Achham. 

Director Lohoni shared that a family with five members in maximum can reap benefit of free treatment up to Rs 50,000 once depositing Rs 2,500 as insurance premium. 

If the family size exceeds five members additional cost of Rs 425 per head will be charged, he informed. 

Those enrolled to the program within mid-January 2017 would tentatively receive health insurance service from mid-February. RSS