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KATHMANDU: Hospital Out Patient Department (OPD) services must be available on national holidays, according to an order from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) to the Ministry of Health and Population. This measure was driven by public complaints about the lack of access to health services on vacations. The OPMCM recommends that all health services, including OPD, be accessible on public holidays.
The instruction was issued following a reference from the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding public holidays, and it aligns with the provisions under the special regulations related to public service delivery. The OPMCM's directive mandates that all types of hospitals must provide health services on public holidays, just as they do on regular working days.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Home Affairs has been asked by the OPMCM to oversee and manage the rollout of these services on public holidays. The special clause also covers national identity cards, passports, citizenship, and overseas employment services, all of which must be available on public holidays.
The Ministry of Health and Population's spokesperson, Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, affirmed that the ministry is getting ready to implement the OPMCM's direction. After making a final judgment, the government intends to send out instructions to every hospital. The best strategy to run OPD services on public holidays and how to handle hospital staff working on these days are also being discussed.
