KATHMANDU, JANUARY 17
The Ministry of Home Affairs has made an amendment to the 'Procedure related to Operation of Drug Users' Treatment and Rehabilitation Centres, 2021' to rehabilitate and reintegrate drug users into society in a more effective and systematic way.
As per the amendment, non-governmental organisations will operate the treatment and rehabilitation centres in the land or other physical infrastructure owned or built by the Government of Nepal. The treatment and rehabilitation centres will not only provide medical services for harm reduction caused by drugs and alcohol but also conduct skill training and counselling for their integration into society without fear of stigmatisation.
"Only drug users sent by the certified doctor shall be entitled to enrolment in the centres. The centres shall provide services to at least 25 per cent of drug users free of charge, as recommended by the government authorities on the basis of their economic condition," reads the amendment. In the case of drug users other than those recommended by government authorities, the centres may collect reasonable fees from service-seekers in a manner not to exceed the amount fixed by the MoHA.
The amendment has also defined the eligibility criteria of non-governmental organisations for operating treatment and rehabilitation centres in partnership with the government. The rehabilitation centres which have not elapsed one year after getting the grant earlier and those which have not completed two years of establishment will not be eligible to receive the amount. Similarly, any rehabilitation centre which has not conducted annual general meeting, has not carried out annual audit as of last fiscal, and has not submitted tax clearance certificate will not be entitled to the grant.
"There will be a seven-member district coordination and monitoring committee led by the concerned chief district officer for selection, coordination and monitoring of treatment and rehabilitation centres," says the amendment. After the non-governmental organisations are selected, the government will sign a two-year contract with them. The contract period may be renewed for one year based on their performance. "If any drug user undergoing treatment is physically or mentally harmed due to negligence of the centre, it shall be liable to pay compensation to the victim in accordance with the prevailing law," it says.
According to procedure, the centres should be established and operated in a place with clean and peaceful environment, close to a hospital or a health institution having road transportation facilities. The centres should have at least one ropani land in Kathmandu valley and a minimum of three ropanis in other parts of the country.
A version of this article appears in the print on January 18, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
