KATHMANDU: The government, as per its plans to cover more people under the health insurance scheme, is going to launch the public health insurance plan in an additional nine districts.

The plan will be launched in Syangja, Darchula, Kanchanpur, Humla, Mugu, Banke, Dolpa, Sankhuwasabha and Morang districts.

The Public Health Insurance Plan was started by the central government in the fiscal year 2016--17 from Kailali Baglung and Ilam. The Health Insurance Board implements this plan.

Under the programme, a family of five members can sign up for the programme by paying Rs 2,500 in advance annually and can claim up to Rs 50,000 worth of medical treatment per year.

In case of a family with more than five members, each family member, under the programme, is required to pay an annual fee of Rs 425 and medical service worth Rs 10,000 each person will be added accordingly as per the programme.

According to newly appointed Executive Director of the Board Ramesh Kumar Pokharel, the programme is going to be extended in Syangja from February 17 while extension in 8 other districts is aimed by mid-April.