Medicine shortages, rising costs plague Gen-Z protest survivors

By Raman Paudel,Kathmandu, Nov. 8: Pran Nath Ghimire, uncle of Kamal Ghimire, who was injured in the Gen-Z movement, has spent more than Rs. 200,000 on medicines and other treatment-related expenses.

Kamal of Kavre was shot in the waist on September 9. He is currently receiving treatment at KMC Hospital, Sinamangal. According to doctors involved in his treatment, he needs to take regular diet for a long time to recover. Pran Nath said he has been spending about Rs. 3,000 per day for Kamal’s diet alone.

 “This is very expensive for my family. The Chief District Officer (CDO) has advised us to keep all the invoices, but it is not possible to maintain every single one,” said Pran Nath.

Prakash Bohora of Dailekh, who was shot in his left leg during the Gen-Z movement at New Baneshwor, is currently undergoing treatment at the National Trauma Centre. Over the past two months, he has undergone four surgeries. Talking to The Rising Nepal, Prakash said that he still feels pain in his leg and is uncertain when he will be discharged. “Despite undergoing multiple surgeries, I still feel pain. I keep wondering when and how I will overcome this constant pain,” he said.

Meanwhile, his family members have been struggling to find the medicines prescribed by doctors. Prakash said that they were searching for four different prescribed medicines.

“My mother and wife are still going from one medical shop to another, trying to find the medicines,” he said.

Like Prakash, many wounded Gen-Z demonstrators, who are undergoing treatment in various hospitals have been facing similar challenges.

Rahul Shah, who has been caring for his mother, Gita Shah, for the past two months at KMC, Sinamangal, shared similar tale. Gita is undergoing facial surgery due to injuries sustained from arson during the Gen-Z movement.

Over the months, Rahul has spent more than Rs. 100,000 on medicines, despite the government’s assurance of covering all treatment costs.

Beyond the medicine expenses, Rahul has faced other challenges as well. “I am alone with my mother in hospital. I have been requesting a cabin for her because there is a high risk of infection in the general ward. Recently, I developed a high fever and headache, but there is no one else to look after my mother,” said Rahul.

Rahul said he has spent at least Rs. 150,000 on medicines from his pockets.

“Yes, the government has assured free treatment. However, we still have to buy many medicines, which are not available at the hospital,” said Rahul.

Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, stated that the government has been covering all expenses for the Gen-Z injured.

However, there might be some miscommunication regarding medicines, he said.

Dr. Budhathoki said that every patient should first check with the hospital’s medicine centre rather than searching for medicines elsewhere.

“There is a message to all family members of patients: they should first inquire about the prescribed medicines at the hospital’s medicine centre. Even if they have already purchased medicines from outside, they must not forget to submit the invoice,” Dr. Budhathoki said. 

Rahul, said he had received Rs. 20,000 from the government for additional expenses. However, he said that the amount was insufficient, as many medicines were not available in the hospital.

A few families of the injured even claimed that they incurred expenses amounting to tens of thousands of rupees, excluding the cost of the free treatment provided by the government.

Meanwhile, the government has estimated that over Rs. 1 billion will be spent on the treatment of those wounded during the Gen-Z movement, and it has started distributing identity cards to the victims.

In total, 2,571 individuals injured in the Gen-Z movement received treatment at various hospitals during the movement. Of them, 50 died in hospitals, with death toll reaching 76.

Currently, 11 individuals are receiving treatment in different hospitals.

About 2,300 people have received identity cards and Rs. 20,000 for medical expenses, while 221 individuals have not received their identity cards and financial assistance, it is learnt.