Dec 08, Kathmandu - Under the health insurance program, eight hospitals in Kavrepalanchok have now started providing primary services.

After another basic hospital brought into operation by Mandandeupur Municipality started its service on Sunday, the number of hospitals providing this service in the district has reached eight. The hospital was affiliated with the Health Insurance Board in the last week of last Shrawan and received approval as a primary service center. The service was formally launched by Bagmati Province Health Minister Kiran Thapa.

At the program, Mayor Tok Bahadur Waiba said that the municipality has made necessary preparations to operate health insurance effectively and has officially started the service from Sunday. According to him, 65 percent of the city's citizens have health insurance.

Earlier, Sunthan, Khopasi, Panchkhal and Dhulikhel Primary Health Centers and Banepa Municipal Hospital and Methinkot Provincial Hospital have been providing services after receiving approval. Dhulikhel Municipality has started its health center building service from the premises of Dhulikhel Hospital since last 26 Shrawan.

Earlier, the center was delaying providing health insurance first-line service citing lack of physical infrastructure and manpower. The municipality has stated that a 'referral' service, including doctors, nurses, and medicines, has been started from the building of the Dhulikhel Hospital premises to make it easier for those who come to get insurance services at Dhulikhel Hospital.