KATHMANDU: The government has directed various hospitals to provide free treatment for COVID-19 to the patients who cannot afford the treatment.

The Ministry of Health and Population issued a statement on Sunday, directing that no patient should be deprived of treatment due to lack of medical expenses.

“Depriving any patient of treatment due to lack of medical expenses is against the essence of the hospital service and the code of conduct for health workers. All government, community, private, non-government hospitals and medical colleges have been directed to provide free treatment for COVID-19 infected people who cannot afford treatment.”

The Ministry has drawn attention to the complaints of some hospitals demanding money for the admission of COVID-19 patients, depriving those who are unable to deposit money from treatment services and depriving treatment for those who cannot afford it.

The Ministry has also stated that the COVID-19 infection rate is high in Nepal and the Ministry and related agencies and hospitals are working day and night for its diagnosis, prevention, control, and treatment.

The Ministry had decided not to bear test and treatment expenses for the COVID-19.  As per the decision, all except for severely disabled, senior citizens, sanitation workers, security personnel, health workers and frontline staff should undergone test and treatment on their own.