Even if the government bears the cost of treatment, there are still many expenses due to the need to buy medicines from outside, food and drink for the patient and the attendant, and transportation for the attendant. The settlement and other management of those who come to Kathmandu solely for the treatment of relatives has also become complicated. This has added to the financial burden on many families.
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After any movement, those who are seriously and moderately injured have to live a more difficult daily life. The injured are in deep pain due to physical damage caused by bullets or other causes, which also creates mental trauma, disrupting the daily life of themselves or their family members, increasing financial burdens, and breaking the chain of regular income.
It is up to the government and the concerned organizations to reduce it. But the injured are facing problems because the government's decisions and policies targeted at the injured are not communicated effectively, there are complications in implementation, there is no readiness to solve them, and the problems of each individual are also unique. The scenario after every movement has been repeated after the Gen-G movement. The injured are worried that they will not get complete treatment. Therefore, the government should make its decisions more concrete and practical and ensure their implementation. In addition, the decision-making mechanisms should be streamlined.
Those injured in the Gen-G movement are facing some common problems during treatment. First, the hospital has not facilitated regular follow-up even after discharge. They are taking money. Dipendra Basnet, who was treated at Annapurna Neuro in Maitighar Mandal, Kathmandu, had to pay a fee when he reached Tilganga for further treatment.
He had to pay the price of medicine when he went for follow-up in Annapurna. Second, the injured have not received a refund for the fees they paid at the hospital to return later during the treatment or for taking medicine from outside. Roshan Gautam, secretary of the Gen-G Martyrs Family Welfare Society, has said that the hospital has not yet refunded the one and a half lakh rupees spent on his son Ayush's treatment. Such problems are mostly faced by the injured.
Third, the government has issued a circular (card) to the injured of the Gen-G movement. But its usefulness has not been established. Ravi Bhandari, who was injured on 24 Bhadra and discharged after undergoing treatment at the B&B Hospital in Gwarko for one and a half months, had to go through the hassle of going to the same hospital for follow-up. Even when he showed the card, he was told that free treatment would not be available. After he pleaded many times, it was free once. But the next time he came, he was told that a fee would be charged. Since there is a fee for coming for treatment again after discharge, his son has kept the injured Geeta Sah in his room, but has not discharged her.
Fourth, if he listens, he will get free treatment, otherwise he is forced to pay the fee. Many people are forced to seek help, especially from the Chief District Officer. Fifth, other expenses are also high. Even if the government bears the cost of treatment, there are many expenses such as having to buy medicine from outside, having to feed and drink the patient and the attendant, and having to travel for the attendant. The settlement and other management of those who come to Kathmandu only for the treatment of relatives has also become complicated. This has added to the financial burden on many families.
It should be made clear how long and through what process the patient will receive treatment, what procedures must be completed when coming for follow-up, and whether or not they will have to pay fees when going for additional treatment elsewhere. Some hospitals have said that the government has not said anything about patients coming for follow-up. Therefore, the government should disseminate its information about this to both the patient and the hospital.
Similarly, the government should immediately pay the amount demanded by the hospital. Hospitals are complaining that they have not received money from the government. Since the government has not given money to the hospital, it may have been difficult for the hospital to pay the patient. According to the Ministry of Health, 22 hospitals have demanded 75 million rupees, while the demand from large and private hospitals has not yet been received. Whatever the hospital has demanded, it should be tested and paid immediately. That will also help solve the current problem. The effectiveness and usefulness of the cards issued by the government should be ensured. The practice of getting free treatment when taking the help of the Chief District Officer, otherwise it will not be available, should be stopped. Therefore, a specific method and complaint mechanism should be developed.
While the government formed due to the movement had a natural responsibility to facilitate the treatment of the injured in the Gen-G movement, the responsibility of the 10-point agreement signed on December 24 has also been added. The agreement does not only talk about physical treatment. Rather, it has also given priority to appropriately addressing immediate and long-term needs. It has been said that a task force will be formed for that. Similarly, it has also covered psychosocial counseling, free education, employment, and social security. The working style of the government is traditionally vague, slow, opaque, misleading, and tiring.
The working style of the government is also one of the many reasons for the Gen-G movement. The government formed after the Gen-G movement has no choice but to follow the working style of the previous government. The government's decisions should be clear, the implementation process practical, and the benefits of the target group should be ensured. Only that can give hope. The government's behavior towards the injured of the Gen-G movement will also be an indicator by which the government can be evaluated.
