Kathmandu, Nepal, October 20, 2020: The government’s decision not to bear the test and treatment expenses of all coronavirus (COVID-19) patients’ draws widespread criticism. Dr. Jageshowr Gautam, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), had on Sunday announced the cabinet decision stating that the government will pay for Covid-19 tests and treatment for only those who are financially poor and for frontline workers.
The main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) has condemned the government’s decision to charge people for COV- ID-19 test and treatment terming the decision as an irresponsible act. Issuing a press statement, NC spokesperson Bishwa Prakash Sharma has raised question marks over the significances of the incumbent government if it failed to treat the people infected with the pandemic.
As the government had a legal obligation to provide free treatment, it should shoulder all economic responsibilities keeping in mind the devastating impact of COVID-19, reads the statement. The NC has also urged the Prime Minister KP Oli to act in more responsible manner to save people from the pandemic.
The government’s decision to charge people for COVID-19 patients has raised question marks over the accountability of the accountability stating that how can the government not abide by the Supreme Court (SC) order, plight of the people and the concern of the media and the opposition parties? The SC had already ordered the government to test and treat COVID-19 patients free of cost.
Likewise, the government’s decision not to bear the expenses of the COVID-19 patients has also condemned even from the people’s level. The people in general have used the social media platforms to criticize the government.
Some of them have raised question marks that why citizens should pay tax to the government if it cannot ensure their fundamental right treatment of people.
Likewise, some social media users have also raised question marks over the critical of using taxpayers’ money for the treatment of political leaders including the Prime Minister Oli.
The government decision not to bear all the expenses of the COVID-19 patients has come just few days after the SC had ordered the government to conduct PCR test of all people who want to undergo the test free of cost.
Responding to a writ petition filed by advocates Lokendra Oli and Keshar Jung KC, a division bench of Justices Ananda Mohan Bhattarai and Tanka Bahadur Moktan had issued the verdict to this effect on October 1.
