HoR meeting: Proposal seeking consideration on bill related to RPSAHS presented

Kathmandu: Minister for Health and Food Safety, Nisha Mehta, has presented a proposal in the House of Representatives to consider the Ramraja Prasad Singh Academy of Health Sciences Bill, 2083.

Participating in the general discussion on the proposal, MP Ramesh Kumar Malla said that bringing a bill to ensure health rights for all Nepalis, including citizens of Madhesh, is welcome. He mentioned that the bill’s including not just study and research but also the production of skilled health human resources and the provision of quality health services are positive.

MP Asha Jha said that once the bill is implemented, Madhesh Province, which has lagged in education and health, will have a basis to receive quality education and health services. MP Yubaraj Dulal said that providing quality and accessible education is a need today.

Similarly, MPs Pramila Kuluju, Madhav Bahadur Thapa, Parshuram Tamang, Tukabhadra Hamal, Guru Prasad Baral, Ankita Thakur, Dr Pushparaj Kandel, Neenu Kumari Karna, Bishnumaya BK, Sajida Khatun Siddiqui, Mohanlal Acharya, Prabha Dhakal, Ashok Kumar Chaudhary, and Dr. Lekhajang Thapa participated in the discussions.

Bill is necessary to expand quality health education and expert services in Madhesh.

Meanwhile, Minister Mehta said that a separate bill had to be introduced to expand quality health education, produce skilled manpower, and extend specialized health services in Madhesh Province. Responding the questions raised by MPs in the House of Representatives about the ‘Ramraja Prasad Singh Academy of Health Sciences Establishment Bill, 2083,’ she explained that a separate bill was introduced to implement the health-related rights guaranteed by the Constitution in a more effective way.

Minister Mehta mentioned that Article 35 of the Constitution ensures every citizen’s right to receive basic health services for free and that no one should be denied emergency health services. She added that Article 51 of the Constitution also provides that investment in public health should be increased, access to quality health services should be easy and equal, and emphasis should be given to health research while increasing the number of health institutions and health workers.

“To ensure the right to health guaranteed by the constitution in practice, the state needs to prioritize not only the expansion of hospital services but also quality health education and the production of skilled health personnel,” she said.

According to Minister Mehta, while health science institutes have been established and are operating in other provinces, such an institute has not yet been established or started in Madhesh Province. She emphasized that the RPSAHS was needed to provide quality health education and specialized health services to the citizens of Madhesh in their own province while maintaining regional balance.

RSS