Three years in jail for assaulting health workers

KATHMANDU : A new ordinance has been issued to jail perpetrators if health workers are assaulted.

The Ordinance on Security of Health Workers and Health Institutions (First Amendment), 2078 BS, issued by President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Sunday, now has a provision of three years imprisonment for assaulting health workers.

Article 3 of the ordinance states three years imprisonment or a fine of Rs 300,000 or both for beating or physically injuring a health worker or a staff in a health institution. There is a provision of imprisonment for three years or a fine of up to Rs 300,000 or both for vandalizing a health facility in the ordinance.

Similarly, the ordinance has a provision of two to five years of jail or a fine of Rs 200,000 to Rs 500,000 or both for setting fire to a health facility.

Locking up a health facility, obstructing the treatment of a patient at the health facility or threatening to beat up a health worker or staffers of the facility, abusing or behaving in an indecent and degrading manner will land the person in jail for  one year or a fine of Rs 100,000 or both has been provided.

The ordinance stipulates that if the property of the health institution is damaged due to vandalism, arson or damage, the amount equal to the damage should be paid. The ordinance paves a way to form a Health and Health Institution Safety Coordinating Committee chaired by the 12th level staff of the Ministry of Health and Population to work in a coordinated manner regarding the security of health workers, employees of health institutions and health institutions.