Two-Days-Off & A Sick Friend

The two-days-off a week system introduced about a year ago on a trial basis in the Kathmandu Valley has certainly helped in reducing the rate of pollution in the Valley. No government vehicles ply along the road in the Valley on Saturday and Sunday, although the traffic is often heavy on Sunday. The employees are also happy to have two holidays a week. However, this two-days-off system has been an inconvenience to outdoor patients as all the hospitals also remain closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Last Sunday when my roommate suffered from high fever and headache, I tried to get him checked in government hospitals but all my efforts went in vain as I found almost all the hospital closed. Since his situation was not so serious, I hesitated to take him to the Emergency Department, yet, he needed a check-up. Though tired due to sun, I had to roam around randomly with the patient in a taxi till I saw a Homeopathic Clinic open at Pulchowk, Lalitpur. Luckily, the doctor was in the clinic to check my friend. After passing through such a narrowing experience realised that it would be better not to close the hospitals even for the outdoor patients on a Sunday. In fact, all the organisations of essential service sector, including hospitals, should make such a routine for their employees whereby they can enjoy two holidays a week while the public can get service from them throughout the week.

I hope the concerned authorities will seriously heed this suggestion.

Krishna Khanal
Min Bhawan, Kathmand