Free treatment for all movement and earthquake victims ensured at government hospitals

Nepal Health News, Kathmandu:Minister for Health and Population, Pradeep Paudel, has made a decision to ease the treatment process for those injured during the armed conflict, people’s movement, and the Terai-Madhesh movement.

Although the government had been covering the treatment costs for conflict victims and those injured in the earthquake, the process was incomplete and hindered by budget limitations. To address this, Minister Paudel has approved a directive that allows hospitals to claim reimbursement, ensuring comprehensive treatment coverage.

Now, all types of injured individuals—those from movements, conflicts, and earthquake survivors—will be eligible for treatment, including organ transplants and assistive devices if necessary.

The directive also includes provisions for providing artificial limbs to those who have lost organs or limbs. The injured will receive treatment in government and community hospitals across the country. The directive is expected to make hospital reimbursement easier after treatment.

Previously, although treatments were ongoing, there were complaints about budget uncertainties causing difficulties for both patients and hospitals. This time, the ministry has allocated a separate budget specifically for the treatment of the injured. The new directive aims to permanently address the issues faced due to budget and treatment limitations.

Ministry spokesperson Dr. Prakash Budhathoki stated that with the approval of the directive, long-standing issues related to the treatment of the injured would be resolved. “This will address the problems that have been occurring in treatment up to now,” he said.