From the cold prison floor to kidney failure: Oli's health struggle

Nepal Health News:In the cool morning atmosphere of Kathmandu, there was formality. But there was life in the voice of the person standing on the stage. During the opening session of the Nepal Leprosy Conference, when Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli began speaking, his speech turned into a shared story of a patient, a prisoner, and a leader.

In his voice, there was not power, but empathy. The beginning of his speech was formal, but within minutes, it became an autobiography — a journey from the cold floor of Golghar to kidney disease and then to the throne of Singha Durbar.

The pain that started while lying on the cold floor of Golghar has become a permanent shadow of my life, he said. When these words come from the mouth of a head of state, they are not just a memory of the past; they become a deep message to society.

Prime Minister Oli clearly explained — the life in jail during the Panchayat era, hunger, lack of medicine, and the constant flow of pain. When there was no treatment, he had to survive on painkillers. It was the continuous use of painkillers that deeply affected his kidneys.

Today, he stands at the pinnacle of power. But he did not achieve this position easily. This position has not made it easier for him to speak. However, his experiences have given him the courage to speak the truth.

There was a deep warning in his words — infectious diseases (such as leprosy) are not just a threat to our health, but also a test of our mindset. “We have made progress,” he said, “but until the disease is completely eradicated, we cannot be satisfied.”

Recalling the traditional blessings, the Prime Minister encouraged everyone to adopt a healthy lifestyle. He emphasized not only physical fitness but also mental balance and social inclusion, conveying the message that the core principle of life lies in the blessing of good digestion.

However, the most poignant part of his speech was his opposition to the discrimination society shows towards leprosy patients. He conveyed a message of change in the legal framework and directed the Ministry of Health to raise public awareness through the use of communication and technology.

The Prime Minister’s address was not just about a program, but the inner story of a person who fought against the state, battled illness, and is now fighting for a disease-free society.

Today, leprosy treatment is possible in Nepal. Medicine is free. But the most complex treatment needed is the treatment of our mindset. Diseases should not be hidden. Victims should not be kept away. This message comes from the life of the Prime Minister — soaked in experience, strengthened by pain, and illuminated by dedication.

The wound given by the cold floor of Golghar has now transformed into a decision in the corridors of Singha Durbar. And that decision is — a healthy society, an equal society.