Social security programme govt’s top priority: PM

By Bhuwan Karki,Rupandehi, Nov. 3: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said that the government is sensitive toward the heath rights of Nepali citizens. 

Inaugurating the 25th anniversary of AMDA-Nepal Siddhartha Children and Women Hospital and AMDA Institute of Health Sciences (Nursing College) in Butwal on Thursday, he also said that the government placed high priority to the social security programme.

Stating that the constitution of Nepal enshrines the right of every citizen to receive healthcare services, he highlighted the government's commitment to ensuring that all citizens have access to essential healthcare.

“The government under my leadership has given the utmost importance to the social security programme within the healthcare sector. We have allocated a total of 2,800 beds in the government hospitals to offer free healthcare services to the underprivileged and vulnerable citizens,” he added. 

The provisions have been put in place to provide cervical cancer and breast cancer vaccines free of charge, he said, adding, “All government, community, and private hospitals have initiated the allocation of 10 per cent of their total beds for the free treatment of poor, vulnerable and orphaned patients.”

Prime Minister Prachanda also hailed AMDA Hospital for offering comprehensive healthcare services to children and women and providing high-quality treatment to the patients of remote areas. He also acknowledged the hospital's admirable efforts to expand its beds to 300 from 50. The Prime Minister expressed his happiness that AMDA, which was founded 25 years ago to provide healthcare services, has also ventured into medical education. 

He pledged that the government's full support to the educational initiative.

He also expressed his belief that the institution would do exemplary work in both healthcare and education sectors. It would also serve as a model nursing college and a model women's and children's hospital in the city, he added. 

Similarly, Prime Minister Prachanda mentioned that the national economy has recently shown signs of improvement.

The Prime Minister also assured that despite encountering certain challenges, the national economy was steadily progressing towards improvement, and there was no need to be worried. The government has made efforts to keep bank interest rates at or below 9 per cent, and in any case, not exceeding 10 per cent, he added. 

Since the government reopened land plotting, there has been a surge in real estate activities throughout the country, he said, adding, "The government believes that this will play a role in economic improvement by sustaining a dynamic market." 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Prachanda said attempts were being made to destabilise the country by reversing the principles of a republic, federalism, secularism, and social justice.

He also stated that these conspiracies would be foiled.

Addressing the party's provincial-level schooling programme in Butwal also on Thursday, the Prime Minister expressed his firm commitment to safeguarding and reinforcing the republic system. “There is a serious conspiracy aimed at pushing the country into conflict by overthrowing the political achievements. Various reactionary forces are collaborating in this endeavour,” he said.

However, he reassured that all those who supported the 12-point agreement, peace accord, and the constitution's promulgation would unite to safeguard the changes achieved through people's struggle.

"Lately, philosophical and theoretical thinking is becoming weaker. Those who oppose the system are attempting to take advantage of this situation directly,” he added.

Hence, it is crucial for us to prioritise the development of fresh ideas that resonate with the changing circumstances, the Prime Minister stressed. He mentioned that the party was weakened due to divisions within the party, which has boosted the morale of counter-revolutionary forces. “We have no choice but to proceed ahead in unison," he added.