Erroneous Decision

Parmeshwar Devkota

Health services were poor in the initial stage of the Panchayat rule. Even in the much-hyped era of multi-party democracy, citizens were deprived of basic healthcare services such as immunisations and medicines for a fever and dysentery. So, those having good economic condition were able to afford to go to India and Thailand for the medical treatment while the have-nots had to suffer throughout the life from even minor ailments.    

However, the situation has now changed for the better after the advent of the federal republic set-up. In the republic structure, healthcare services have also been widened especially in the local levels. Airlifting of a serious patient has become common today from the remote parts of the country to the advanced medical facilities. The women with the pregnancy complications are carried out at the hospitals with added facilities not only by local municipalities but also by the Nepali Army. Likewise, immunisations of various types are being carried out at doorsteps even in the far-flung areas and local governments are taking care of senior citizens of their ambits. These are good signs of an egalitarian society.   

Nonetheless, there are some shortcomings in this sector as well. As for example, the treatment of eye aliments is the most important in life because eyes help us lead happy and productive life. The treatment of certain type of eye illnesses is expensive. Despite this, the state hardly seems to have compensated this treatment. However, open heart surgery of septuagenarians is available at the Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre at Bansbari of Kathmandu free of cost. 

However, this free service to septuagenarians is not justifiable on two grounds. First, some old persons can economically be strong and afford to pay their bills. For example, the majority of former civil servants, army-men, policemen and business people can pay their expenses. Second, the septuagenarians are at a vulnerable stage. Most of patients belonging to this age-group could not make open heart surgery. It is said that in normal conditions, that is, without complications, an open heart surgery costs more than four hundred thousand rupees. But, the open heart surgery free of cost for septuagenarians has been encouraging patients as well as visitors and relatives. 

Here is an example: a septuagenarian admitted to the Gangalal Hospital. He was from the Karnali Province, and his economic condition was strong, because the old man was a shrewd businessman in his heydays, and has amassed land and property worth millions. His son is a doctor at a hospital, and daughter-in-law works as a civil servant. After investigation, he was diagnosed with blockage at multiple places. His health condition was rapidly deteriorating. In the beginning, they were not ready to get his heart operated. But, as they knew that it was free of cost, they decided to get it done. Sadly, his operation could not become successful. 

If he were made to pay, his life would have been saved and prolonged at least for some months. Additionally, the money spent on him by the state would have been saved for the use of other needy citizens. So, the compulsory donation to the septuagenarians is an erroneous decision on the part of the government. A theory of logic summarises erroneous decision or fallacy as follows: “If all men are wolves, all wolves live in the artic; therefore, all men live in the artic’’. So, the state should correct erroneous decisions, so that, the citizens can enjoy the fruits of a welfare state.