The health insurance programme introduced by the government is gaining popularity in Chitwan’s urban areas, but it has failed to attract rural folk. 

So far, 78,536 people in the district have joined the programme under social health security, according to the Social Health Security Office, Chitwan.   

Of them, 43,999 are from Bharatpur Metropolis, 8,834 from Khairahani Municipality and 11,341 from Ratnanagar Municipality. Likewise, 5,099 people are from Kalika Municipality, 3,436 from Madi Municipality and 569 from Ichhyakamana Municipality. 

The insurance programme has not been as effective in the rural parts due to lack of awareness, said Social Health Security Development Committee Chitwan Manager Srijana Poudel.