KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court (SC) has declined to review its earlier order to manage free tests and treatment for COVID-19.
The apex court has ordered not to allow the review petition submitted by the government.
A bench of Justices Hari Krishna Karki, Sapana Pradhan Malla, and Purushottam Bhandari ordered that the earlier verdict not be reviewed.
The Ministry of Health and Population had registered a petition at the apex court seeking review on the latter’s October 1 verdict directing the government to arrange for the free check and treatment against the coronavirus pandemic.
Laxman Aryal, the Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population had filed the petition seeking review through the Office of the Attorney General.
Citing that the resources and the manpower of the state will not suffice to provide free health care and treatment against the coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry had tried to defend the government’s decision of charging people for the treatment as fair and not contradictory to the legal provisions.
Earlier, after hearing on the public interest litigation filed by advocate duo Lokendra Oli and Keshar Bahadur KC, SC had issued mandamus to the government directing it to arrange for the free test and treatment against coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, the SC has questioned Health Minister Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal as to why he should be exempted from action for contempt of court.
The SC came out with the statement in connection to Health Ministry’s announcement to not bear costs of coronavirus treatment despite its order to provide treatment free of cost.