KATHMANDU, JANUARY 24

The National Human Rights Commission taking serious note of the present situation created by the third wave of COVID-19 whereby citizens are being deprived of health benefits from the government, including availability of paracetamol, urged the government to work more effectively to tackle the ongoing crisis.

NHRC commissioners, at a meeting with the top level government authorities, asked for swift, transparent and result-oriented efforts to fight the recent COVID-19 wave, which is said to be dominated by the Omicron variant of the virus.

There is acute shortage of paracetamol in the country these days. Paracetamol is one of the key medicines taken by COVID-19 patients, especially those living in home isolation to control fever.

But, shortage of this basic drug has made people panic even in Kathmandu.

The human rights watchdog has asked the government to supply essential medical services and work more effectively to curb the recent pandemic.

It warned that all citizens should have easy access to the vaccine and everyone's fundamental right to life should be ensured by the government. Regarding the mandatory rule to produce vaccination cards to enter public places, the human rights watchdog has asked the government not to deprive anyone of service if they cannot produce the vaccine card, saying it would be a violation of their human rights.

Issuing a press release today, NHRC further asked the government to review the odd-even vehicle rationing system as it has only increased passengers' number in the limited number of public vehicles. The rights body reminded the government about the provision of the right to health enshrined in the constitution and urged the authorities not to run away from their responsibility of ensuring access to health services.

Issues of people entering and exiting the country through the open border was also raised by the NHRC, asking the government to be more efficient and provide hassle-free services to people.

A version of this article appears in the print on January 25, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.