Kathmandu, August 4

The government has decided to make special arrangements for security at health facilities and health workers, including doctors.

A meeting of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population Upendra Yadav, Minister of Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa, Home Secretary Prem Kumar Rai, high ranking officials of both the ministries, chief of security agencies and other stakeholders recently held at Singha Durbar took a decision to this effect.

As per the decision, the concerned unit of Nepal Police will prepare a list of health facilities under its working area and stay in regular touch with managers, directors and responsible office-bearers of the health facilities.

Home Ministry has already directed all local administrations to coordinate with police in this regard. Health facilities across the country will be under surveillance of police to prevent any untoward incidents.

If any persons or groups try to take law into their hands to damage physical infrastructure of hospital and attack health workers, including doctors, in the course of medical treatment of a person, the hospital administration will alert the police immediately.  The local administration will authorise the police to perform their duties for maintaining law and order, and ensuring security of doctors and physical infrastructure of such health facilities.

A copy of decisions released by the Ministry of Health and Population stated that some miscreants resorted to violence in a health facility after the death of a patient while undergoing treatment. The MoHP and subordinate agencies will conduct regular monitoring of health facilities to ensure that they are responsible to the patients and provide services without discrimination.

The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration has issued a circular to all local levels to create safe environment for health facilities across the country.