Healthcare woes:

There were two health-related news reports in THT (June 11). One gave a rosy picture of a three-year “Interim health policy,” with the government expressing its commitment to “make health services accessible to all people”; the other “Docs in short supply in Bhaktapur hospital” presented a gloomy picture of Bhaktapur Hospital, where the shortage of doctors has “hit hard the emergency, anaesthesia and surgical departments”.

Despite a number of health-related plans and policies in the past, the shortage of doctors and

other healthcare workers in the government hospitals has persisted and is frequently reported in the press.

National policies should be formulated only after in-depth analysis of the current situation and future needs. It is also necessary to devise methods to attract, motivate and retain

healthcare professionals. The government should consider what incentives it should give to the doctors to make them work in remote areas, how their services should be made more

effective and what action should be taken if they did not obey the orders and follow the rules. Apart from policy formulation, equal attention should be paid to its implementation and monitoring. Otherwise, plans and policies will remain only on paper.

Dr Purushottam

N Shrestha, Bishalnagar, Kathmandu

In name only:

The number of so-called “Research Centres” is increasing rapidly. Even an institute with one or two rooms are calling themselves research centres. The government should monitor such institutes on a regular basis to see if indeed any research is being carried out in these centres or not. The licenses of those centres which have research facilities only in name should be cancelled.

Otherwise, they will continue to evade taxes in the name of doing research.

Dipesh Rupakheti,

BSc, SchEMS

Accidents:

This is in support of Shiva Neupane’s letter, “Mishaps” (THT, June 11). Even though serious road mishaps are happening daily, we don’t know the main causes. The solution is therefore difficult. I think drivers, bus companies, government and the passengers are equally responsible. Drivers often drive under the influence of alcohol and bus companies are not bothered about keeping their vehicles in good condition. Likewise, the government seems to be the least bothered about punishing those violating traffic rules. The passengers too have been known to cause accidents by insisting that they reach their destination ahead of time. Only a collective effort will help reduce the number of accidents.

Dwaipayan Regmi,

Biratnagar

Right way:

It was right for NEFIN (Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities) to call off the proposed bandh which would have caused great difficulties to the common people. NEFIN people

deserve praise for choosing to put forward their grievances in a democratic manner. Other groups should also take this approach. Those organisations with partisan interests should not forget to demonstrate their capability in negotiations , and without resorting to bandhs and strikes.

Dorji Tsering Sherpa,

Galfutar