KATHMANDU: Widespread arson during the recent Gen-Z protests destroyed government offices across the country, and the Ministry of Health and Population was among the hardest hit.
One of the ministry’s key bodies, the Department of Health Services in Teku, however, narrowly escaped major damage, allowing it to resume regular operations from Sunday. Director General Dr. Tanka Prasad Barakoti confirmed that while the department’s building remained intact, one government vehicle and a motorcycle stationed at the Health Ministry were damaged.
The department houses several critical units, including the National Centre for AIDS and STD Control, the National Health Training Centre, the National Tuberculosis Centre, the National Public Health Laboratory, the National Health Education, Information and Communication Centre, as well as divisions overseeing curative services, management, nursing and social security, epidemiology and disease control, and family welfare.
Although the department itself was spared, health services in municipalities across the country suffered. Dr. Barakoti said 30 municipal health branches had sustained damage, particularly in Madhes, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces. “We are still collecting the details,” he added.
Among the most affected were immunization infrastructures. Dr. Abhiyan Gautam, chief of the Child Health and Immunization Section under the Family Welfare Division, said 19 vaccine cold chain storage facilities were damaged. “When ward offices were set on fire, nearby health institutions were also caught in the flames. Cold chain rooms were affected, but vaccination programs continue without interruption. We are making every effort to sustain services,” he said.
Authorities said repairs and restoration work are being planned to bring damaged health facilities and vaccine stores back into operation.
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