Ministry seeks inputs on draft bills relating to amendments of health-related acts

Kathmandu: The Ministry of Health and Food Safety has sought public suggestions on the draft bills designed to amend three important acts related to the health sector.

The ministerial decision taken on Wednesday made public the draft bills on the amendment of the Act on Control of the Breast-Milk Substitutes (Sale and Distribution) Act, 2049; the amendment of the Act on Safety of Health Workers and Health Institutions, 2066; and the amendment of the Act on Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights, 2075.

The ministry has urged all interested individuals, health workers, health institutions and concerned stakeholders to submit their views and suggestions to the ministry’s law section- law.section@mohp.gov.np by July 28.

The draft amendment to the Act on Control of the Breast-Milk Substitutes (Sale and Distribution) Act has incorporated a provision to ensure effectiveness in the protection and promotion of breastfeeding.

As per the draft, health workers are restricted from recommending substitutes to breast milk except under special circumstances. The government could run breastfeeding management centres, and the breastfeeding protection and promotion committees would be formed at the provincial and local levels.

Similarly, the draft amendment to the Act on Safety of Health Workers and Health Institutions proposes an additional provision in a bid to ensure safety for medical personnel and hospitals. The forceful and violent demonstrations would not be allowed at hospitals.

The draft amendment to the Act on Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights makes it mandatory for health institutions catering maternity services to have skilled health workers or trained midwives, ensure respectful maternity services, and legally restrict physical or mental violence against pregnant and postpartum women.

RSS