The government should do more than just count the number of infected people: Gagan Thapa

October 19, Kathmandu 


After the Ministry of Health and Population withdrew saying that the citizens should test and treat Covid-19 at their own expense, there has been widespread protest. At the regular press briefing of the ministry on Sunday, spokesperson Dr. Jageshwar Gautam said that the relatives should take care of the corpse and test the coffin, which has been deeply criticized. 

Nepali Congress leader and former health minister Gagan Thapa has remarked that the government has taken such a decision because government is sick itself. 

In a tweet on Monday, Thapa added, "Since the government itself is in isolation from being infected, the Prime Minister should be told that he will not do anything other than counting the number of infected people from now on."

In point 4 of the procedure, a relative should inform the local representative and the police about a person's home isolation. Funeral services should be conducted with caution by family members and those attending the funeral.

In a regular press briefing organized by the Ministry of Health and Population on Sunday, the spokesperson of the Ministry Dr. Jageshwor Gautam said that such arrangement has been made as per the decision of the Council of Ministers on 19th of Ashwin 2077. This decision will apply to all types of government, non-government and private hospitals.

The government will only test and treat the economically deprived, disabled and helpless citizens, helpless single women, highly disabled citizens, senior citizens, front line health workers, sanitation workers, security personnel and others.