Hospital sans doctors

The Himalayan Times

22 August 2019

Hospital sans doctors

Federalism is now not new for us considering its implementation in Nepal for the last almost 18 months. All the three tiers of government are now fully functioning, however, with some exceptions. They still lack of human resources, proper infrastructures and adequate budget. They are also badly suffering from inadequate laws to fully function due to unwillingness of central government to devolve power to them.  We have seen the provincial governments time and again expressing their grievances to the Centre for not showing seriousness towards the implementation of federal structure as envisaged by the constitution.

We have seen that the Centre is either finding difficulty in deputing its civil servants to the local and provincial governments or hindering the process of recruiting their staff as per their requirements. The recent action of the Public Service Commission (PSC) to recruit staff from the Centre has been challenged by different groups and have been expressing their grievances in the street. It has also been seen that the government is trying to suppress their voices using forces. Is it the PSC fulfilling its constitutional duty or violating the constitution? Why not let the provincial governments recruit their staff as per their requirements through their own PSC?

Having said all these, it was another immature decision of the Centre to transfer doctors and other health staff elsewhere without arranging for their replacement “Sindhuli Hospital without doctors” (THT, Aug.20 Page 3). This is a gross irresponsible act of the Ministry of Health and Population and may be, of Ministry of General Administration. This has adversely affected day to day health services to be provided to the visiting patients. This is another sheer violation of constitution undermining the constitutional rights of the common people to get free and accessible health services. 

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj