Can children help solve world’s pressing problems?

The world is facing several daunting challenges. Can children and youths come to rescue us?  Setting aside the so-called trade

Risk communication for reducing disaster impacts

The past year has been a stark reminder of Nepal’s vulnerability to natural disasters, with the National Disaster Risk Reduction

Taxes, loans, and little return: Is Nepal’s federal government too big?

Suppose you’ve taken a loan. You could either use this money to pay your rent, buy your groceries, go on

World Health Day: Our region is breathing on borrowed time

In the quiet hum of our cities, where life moves in a ceaseless rhythm, an invisible force threatens our well-being—air

Can BIMSTEC be a game-changer for foreign affairs of Nepal?

Can an international cooperation mechanism like The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) be a game-changer

Operate OPD services on public holidays as well, govt directs

Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers issued the directive to this effect to Ministry of Health and Population.

Kathmandu: The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) has directed the Ministry of Health and Population to operate Out Patient Department (OPD) services of the hospitals on public holidays as well. In a letter, the OPMCM instructed the ministry to put in place arrangement to provide all health services, including OPD on public holidays. Citing reference to a letter issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding public holidays, OPMCM official said that the directive has been issued in accordance with the legal provisions related to public service delivery. According to the notice, health-related services (including OPD) provided by all types of hospitals should be operated on public holidays.

Most of the agencies have been asked to provide services on public holidays acting on public complaints that health-related services are not being accessible all days. The OPMCM has also requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to make necessary coordination and monitoring for the arrangements of services. According to the special provision, services related to citizenship, national identity card, passport, foreign employment service, including hospitals, should be operated on public holidays as in other days. Spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr Prakash Budhathoki, said the instruction of the OPMCM regarding OPD service operation in the hospitals would be implemented. “We are preparing to write to all the hospitals after taking a decision from the ministry,” he said, adding, “We are also discussing how to manage the employees working on public holidays.”

He said that discussions are being held on the modality of the operation of OPD service on public holidays.