July 9: The government is preparing to run the OPD service of Bir Hospital at 8 am starting from July 17. Minister for Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet made such an announcement stating that the change in timing is expected to resolve the problem of the hospital doctors and health workers ‘not reporting to work on time’.

Minister Basnet said that the government is committed to creating an environment conducive for doctors and health workers to work. The minister made such remarks at an event organised on Saturday on the occasion of the ninth anniversary of Vigen Nepal, a non-governmental health care provider.    
Arrangements will be made soon for all health institutions to provide online ticketing system, he said.

“The constitution has guaranteed healthcare as a fundamental right of the people. But this has not been implemented. Many people lack access to healthcare services. Healthcare is expensive, medicines are not easily available. Many people cannot afford to buy them. Many people are forced to return home without healthcare due to lack of money,” said Minister Basnet, urging the people to do physical exercises for at least for one hour a day to be healthy. -- RSS