KATHMANDU: In an effort to curb the practice of using hospital admissions as a means to evade custody, the Home Ministry has issued comprehensive guidelines.

The directive, spearheaded by Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane, is aimed at preventing individuals from seeking medical assistance solely to secure admission to a hospital after being arrested.

According to the guidelines set forth by the Ministry:

Hospital admission will only be permitted if the arrestee is physically or mentally unwell, or suffers from a chronic condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes that necessitates medical treatment.

The decision regarding the necessity of hospital treatment will be made by medical professionals registered either with a government hospital or the Nepal Medical Council.

Individuals seeking admission for more than 48 hours must provide a valid reason for the extended stay.

These guidelines are intended to ensure that hospital admissions are genuinely based on medical necessity rather than being exploited as a means to avoid lawful custody.