Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, February 26:

The 22nd All Nepal Medical Conference of the Nepal Medical Association is taking place from March 2 to March 5 to press the warring parties to guarantee people’s right to receive health services without any difficulty.

“The health sector should be free from any voilent activities and both the patients and health workers should be given an opportunity to seek and provide the medical services easily,” said Dr Manohar Prasad Gupta, president of the NMA during a press conference held here today.

“Access to health services is a basic fundamental right and both of the warring parties should let the public enjoy the service,” said Gupta adding, “The ongoing conflict has affected the general public and the health workers very much and therefore some actions need to be taken to solve the problems at the earliest.” The conference with the theme Health, Human Rights and Conflict is taking place at Birendra International Convention Center (BICC).

Dr Kalyan Raj Pandey, chairman of 22nd All Nepal Medical Conference organising committee said that they would seek advice from participants of other conflict-hit countries on how to provide health services smoothly in Nepal.

“The conference will forward the conclusion of the conference to the authorities concerned suggesting necessary actions to ensure easy access to health services,” said Pandey. “Health workers have not been able to provide their services in the conflict-hit remote areas and we shall seek ways to create environment where people can enjoy their basic fundamental rights,” said Dr Kiran Prasad Shrestha, general secretary at NMA.

“The forthcoming conference will try to address the problems faced by the health sector,” Dr Shrestha further added. Around 800 health workers from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, United States of America, Africa and Kuwait are to participate in the conference where some 200 scientific concept papers will be presented.

Dr Shrestha informed that discussions will be held on role of health services during conflict with International Red Cross Society and other participants of the conference.