Kathmandu — The Ministry of Health and Population formally rolled out free enrollment in the National Health Insurance Programme for all citizens aged 70 and above on Sunday, extending full premium waivers to an estimated 1.4 million senior citizens nationwide.
Enrolled seniors will receive coverage for outpatient consultations, essential medicines, and inpatient treatment up to Rs 200,000 annually at any listed government or partner hospital. Local ward offices have been tasked with door-to-door registration drives in rural districts where digital enrollment is impractical.
Health Minister Toshima Karki called the expansion "the single largest step toward universal health coverage in Nepal's history." The Health Insurance Board said it would need an additional Rs 4.2 billion in annual funding, which the government has committed to covering through the upcoming fiscal budget.