KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Health and Population is preparing to forward a proposal before the Cabinet meeting regarding free testing and treatment for COVID-19.

The move by the Health Ministry comes on the heels of the Supreme Court (SC)’s order not to review its earlier order to manage free tests and treatment for COVID-19.

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.

A bench of Justices Hari Krishna Karki, Sapana Pradhan Malla, and Purushottam Bhandari on Thursday ordered that the earlier verdict not be reviewed.

Meanwhile, a virtual meeting of the Education and Health Committee of the Parliament held on Friday has directed the government to provide free testing and treatment of COVID-19 even after curtailing the budget for other sectors.

The committee has also asked the government to take action if labs are found charging more than the prescribed fee and to monitor the private hospitals treating the infected.

The committee has also directed to be serious about the security and allowances of the health workers deployed on the frontlines.