KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 2
The Ministry of Health and Population has established an 11-member committee, chaired by the Ministry's additional secretary, Dr. Tanka Barakoti, to coordinate with relevant bodies for the security of health professionals.
According to the Ministry's spokesperson, Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, the formation of this committee, named the 'Security Coordination Committee for Health Professionals and Health Institutions,' comes in response to a series of attacks on health workers and health institutions.
The committee was established in accordance with the Security of Health Workers and Health Organizations Act, 2066 BS (first amendment-2079 BS).
The Ministry has stated that it has already initiated discussions with the relevant authorities regarding the recent incidents of physical assaults on health workers and their security.
The committee has been tasked with examining any incidents related to the security of health workers that have occurred in any health organization, assisting in investigations, and facilitating the implementation of court verdicts in this regard.
The Act prohibits besieging (gherau), physically assaulting, or subjecting health workers to degrading treatment in matters related to medical treatment. It also prohibits the destruction or setting fire to any health organization or similar acts.
The Act imposes fines ranging from Rs2,00,000 to Rs 5,00,000, or imprisonment from two to five years, or both, in cases of causing fires at health organizations or similar acts.
Similarly, it stipulates imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to Rs.3,00,000, or both, in cases of physically assaulting health workers or vandalizing health organizations.
It also provides for a jail term of up to one year or a fine of Rs1,00,000 for offenses such as padlocking health organizations, obstructing patient treatment, or manhandling health workers.
