Kathmandu: The Supreme Court has said that the order given for free covid-19 testing and treatment will not be reviewed.
The Ministry of Health and Population had filed a review petition to rectify the Supreme Court’s order to test and treat Corona free of cost.
A bench of Justices Harikrishna Karki, Sapana Malla Pradhan and Purushottam Bhandari on Thursday ordered not to review the verdict as demanded by the government, according to the Supreme Court.
On Monday, Health Secretary Laxman Aryal had filed a review petition in the Supreme Court seeking repeal of the Supreme Court’s order to provide free corona testing and treatment.
A bench of Supreme Court Justices Ananda Mohan Bhattarai and Tanka Bahadur Moktan had on October 29 ordered free examination and treatment of corona at a government hospital.
Secretary at the Ministry of Health Laxman Aryal on Monday reviewed the decision of the Supreme Court, saying that it was against the principles laid down by the Supreme Court.
The court also said that the court had decided to provide free corona test and treatment without understanding the government’s insurance policy.
As the order is contrary to the principle laid down by the esteemed court, there is no proper evaluation of the evidence affecting the case and the order has been issued without any assessment of the insurance provisions taken by the Government of Nepal.
Stating that any work should be done as soon as possible, the Supreme Court has stated that the Ministry of Health has not taken into account the fact that free tests and treatments have been done till date.
The cabinet meeting on September 6 will provide free coronary examination and treatment to the economically deprived, disabled and helpless citizens, single women, highly disabled citizens, senior citizens, front line health workers, sanitation workers, security personnel and other risky workers. It was decided that the cost of testing and treatment would be borne by the insured. Demonstrating this decision, the Ministry of Health has claimed in the petition that the government has taken full responsibility for the social security of the citizens.
“While the provision including insurance for corona infection has been included in the budget, the order issued ignoring the provision is an injunction ignoring the constitutional law, international practice and the economic condition of the country,” reads the statement issued by the Supreme Court
Supreme Court did not allow review of decision to make covid treatment free
