All hospitals must provide 50% of total beds for covid-19 patients

Kathmandu: The government has directed all types of hospitals to set aside at least 50 percent of beds for the treatment of covid-19 patients. Speaking during a regular press meet today, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, Jageshwar Gautam has said that all private, community, government hospitals, and medical colleges should set aside at least 50 percent beds for covid-19 infected patients.
Earlier, the government had asked private and community hospitals to set aside only 20 percent and medical colleges 33 percent beds for the infected patients. However, considering the recent shortage of beds for the treatment of infected people, the government has asked all types of hospitals to set aside at least 50 percent of all beds, including ICUs, for the treatment of infected people.
Earlier, despite the government’s directive, not all hospitals have provided the required number of beds. The ministry later said it would revoke the PCR test permits of hospitals and medical colleges that did not provide such beds.
Amid this, the government has taken a step back from its responsibility.
As per the decision taken by the Ministry of Health and Population on Sunday, the government will now only test and provide treatment free of cost to the front line workers. Meanwhile, others have to undergo corona testing and treatment at their own expense. Ministry Spokesperson Gautam however, said that the government will take responsibility for the covid-19 test and treatment of the poor and the extremely disabled people.
Prior to this, the government had been providing free testing and treatment for corona infection.
“Testing and treatment will be provided free of cost to the destitute, disabled and helpless citizens, senior citizens, frontline health workers, sanitation workers, security personnel and other personnel working in the risky areas if any symptoms or signs are detected,” said spokesperson Gautam.