The government is planning to introduce another ordinance. The new ordinance is expected to be in favour of hospitals and health workers. As incidents of health workers being beaten up and hospitals being vandalised have increased of late the government is likely to bring a strict ordinance against such activities.
The Council of Ministers has decided to recommend President Bidhya Devi Bhandari to issue the Security of the Health Workers and Health Organisations Act, 2066 (2010) amendment ordinance. The amendment is likely to have strict provisions against persons attacking health workers and vandalizing health institutions under various pretexts.
The government has said that it plans to issue the new ordinance so as to provide safety and security to health workers so that they can perform their duties without any fear.
According to Lila Nath Shrestha, Minister of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs, the ordinance will have a provision of levying a fine of Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh and imprisonment of two to five years if any person is found guilty of vandalising a hospital.
Similarly, those found guilty of attacking health workers will be liable to pay a fine of up to Rs 3 lakh and could face imprisonment of up to three years. For those creating obstacles in hospitals, or abusing health workers the fine is up to Rs 1 lakh with imprisonment of up to one year.
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