Kathmandu, November 10

Promises made by top political parties through their election manifestos seem not only overambitious but unrealistic to some extent.

Major parties have pledged to build 15 to 25-bed hospital in each rural municipality. It seems that parties are unaware about the current status of health facilities in most of the rural municipalities of the country. At present health facilities are not even able to provide free medicines and other basic services, and to change this situation any time soon or just after the polls, parties must produce some wonders to meet their promises or else their pledge to the people will be nothing but a publicity stunt.

The Nepali Congress states the party will establish a 15-bed hospital in each rural municipality and 25 to 50 bed hospital in municipalities. Adding on this, the joint manifesto of CPN-UML and CPN-MC promises to build at least one 25-bed hospital in each rural municipality and 50-bed hospitals in municipalities. Likewise, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party has pledged to establish one 25-bed hospital in all rural municipalities and municipalities.

In chapters related to health sector, political parties have stated that they will ensure the fundamental health rights provisioned by the constitution.

The NC has pledged to reduce infant mortality rate from 170 children (per 100,000 live births) to 50 within 10 years. Likewise, the party’s manifesto also states there will be no deaths from water-borne diseases like malaria, kala-ajar, dengue, and hepatitis. The party has also promised free dialysis services at the local levels.

Similarly the joint manifesto of the left alliance promises free treatment of fatal diseases like cancer and heart disease, among others.

Madhesi parties have yet to finalise their electoral manifesto. RJP-N leader Manish Suman said they would not keep lofty promises in the manifesto. “Voters decide on their votes considering the candidates not the manifesto,” added Suman.