Key Takeaways:

• Draft Burn Act 2083 proposes Rs300,000 free care, plus Rs700,000 with approval
• Burn Treatment Fund to be financed by government, grants, donations, industries
• High-risk industries must provide safety gear, insurance, and cover negligence costs
• Hospitals refusing treatment face fines of Rs25,000–50,000; negligent entities Rs30,000–50,000

KATHMANDU, AUGUST 14 The Ministry of Health and Food Safety has invited public feedback on the draft Human Body Burn (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act, 2083, giving citizens and stakeholders seven days, until August 19, to submit suggestions. Under the proposed framework, basic burn treatment would be provided free of charge at all health institutions. A health facility would be required to provide treatment free of cost up to Rs 300,000 per patient, with an additional Rs 700,000 available with prior approval from the Fund Operating Committee. The draft also states that no health institution or health worker would be allowed to refuse treatment to a burn patient. Facilities without adequate resources or specialists would have to provide basic care and promptly refer patients to designated facilities. The bill proposes establishing a Burn Treatment Fund, financed through government contributions, provincial and local funds, donations, foreign grants, contributions from high-risk industries and court-ordered restitution and fines. The fund would support treatment, transportation, health-worker training and public awareness. Industries considered high-risk, including those dealing with electricity, petroleum, LPG, chemicals, explosives, batteries and other flammable materials-would also be required to provide safety equipment and accident insurance covering burn injuries. The proposed law would make negligent entities responsible for treatment costs when their failure to meet safety obligations results in a burn injury, rather than shifting the cost to the treatment fund. Health institutions and practitioners who refuse treatment or fail to refer patients could face fines of Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000. Entities whose negligence causes burn injuries could face fines of Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000, in addition to the treatment cost. The draft classifies burns as general or severe, with severe injuries including burns covering at least 10 percent of a child's body or 15 percent of an adult's body, burns affecting sensitive areas, deep burns, and injuries caused by electricity, chemicals or radiation, among others. It also proposes specialised burn-treatment facilities with at least 25 beds, while general specialist facilities would require at least five dedicated burn beds. Mandatory training would be introduced for health workers treating burn patients. The proposed system would be overseen by a Central Burn Treatment Committee chaired by the health minister, with provincial and local-level committees also envisaged. The ministry said the draft is intended to give effect to constitutional guarantees concerning dignity, healthcare, rehabilitation and equitable access to quality health services. The bill has not yet been enacted. The ministry has asked the public to submit comments to its Law Section by email in the prescribed format, specifying the relevant clause, proposed provision and supporting rationale.