INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
KATHMANDU, MARCH 30Minister of Health and Population Birodh Khatiwada has pledged
free medical treatment for journalists in public health facilities.
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Addressing an event organised on the occasion of the
67th anniversary of the Federation of Nepali Journalists here today, Minister Khatiwada reiterated he would implement the provision of free
medical treatment of journalists in all public hospitals across the country.
Journalists who are members of the FNJ will be
entitled to free medical treatment
"Arrangement will be made in the upcoming fiscal year's budget to cover 50 per cent of premium amount by the government of Nepal for
accident insurance of Rs 700,000," he said.Minister Paudel expressed concern that despite the fiscal year nearing its closure, the matter
related to accident insurance for working journalists could not be fully implemented."Although the matter is related to the Ministry of
Communications and Information Technology, the issue is also related to my ministry in terms of its implementation
Hence, I want this provision to be implemented during my tenure," Khatiwada observed.According to Minister Khatiwada, he has already
instructed his subordinates to take necessary measures to provide free medical treatment for working journalists
Stating that the government had launched health insurance programme, he appealed to all the Nepalis to come under the coverage of insurance
Extending his best wishes to the FNJ, the biggest umbrella organisation of journalists in the country, the minister commended all
journalists for tirelessly disseminating factual and accurate information and news even during the COVID crisis.Similarly, FNJ President
Bipul Pokharel demanded professional security and physical security of journalists as well as guarantee of freedom of press.A version of
this article appears in the print on March 31, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
This article first appeared/also appeared in https://thehimalayantimes.com