BHAKTAPUR: The Bagmati Province Ministry of Health has directed all hospitals operating in the province to allocate at least 10 percent of their total beds for free treatment of poor and needy patients.
Health Minister Kiran Thapa Magar said the directive was issued in line with existing legal provisions requiring hospitals to reserve beds for targeted groups.
“On Monday, the Ministry instructed private hospitals and those run by various non-governmental organizations across all 13 districts of the province to strictly implement Sub-section (6) of Section 3 of the Provincial Health Service Act, 2075 BS, effective immediately,” he said, warning that action will be taken against institutions that fail to comply.
Dr. Sumitra Gautam, Secretary at the ministry, said hospitals have also been directed to establish social service units as mandated by the law. These units are responsible for ensuring that at least 10 percent of hospital beds are provided free of charge to the homeless, extremely poor, destitute, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
Comment