The Rolpa Incident
High Time For Introspection

By Prem N. Kakkar

IN THE past month and a half the country has undergone a traumatic experience. The incident of June 1 will remain in the memory of the Nepalese people for a long time to come. But the tragedy must be borne with a patient mind and it is time for the people to get back to business.

Loss

The loss is irreparable but there are elements that still try to cash in on the situation. The confusion that prevailed in the aftermath of the Royal Palace incident is now no more. Now it is the Maoist problem that has been hitting the headlines together with the CPN-UML once again clamouring for Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s resignation.

All talks of national consensus on tackling the Maoist problem seem to have vanished into thin air. What was a minor issue some six years back has now assumed gargantuan proportion. The Maoists are responsible for killing many policemen and the destruction of numerous police posts. Even in these circumstances the political leaders do not seem to come into terms with the reality. This is rather unfortunate as the country is into its twelfth year after the restoration of democracy.

The same parties that had spearheaded the movement to dismantle the then Panchayat dispensation are now at loggerheads with each other. It is not the broader interest focusing on the country but the petty motives that are uppermost in their minds.

Though the bright lining has been that the discussions on the budget have been quite positive with the start of the 20th session of the Parliament. It was believed by many that like the stalemate in the 19th session the same would happen now. Fortunately, reason has prevailed but the same cannot be said about the days to come. This is because the main opposition party is still sticking to its one point demand for the Prime minister’s resignation. But what they must realise is that the Maoist activities must receive more attention. The spate of violence and terror that has been unleashed must come to an end in the interest of the whole nation.

The killings of so many police personnel should have to shaken the leaders of their isolation. It is not ideology that must come into play but the need is for peace to return to the Maoist affected districts. The kidnapping of the policemen in Rolpa is a severe blow and there has been no solution till date. The Royal Nepal Army has taken up its position to cordon the area around Nuwagaon where the Maoists are holed up together with the hostages.

Meanwhile, as irresponsible journalism would have it, multi-hued news reports are making the rounds. This, instead of giving the facts, is creating conflicting pictures of what is happening in Nuwagaon of Rolpa district. The government on its part is trying to provide the latest update but the private sector media is providing sensation which is far from the reality.

The failure to realise the gravity of the situation can be quite dangerous. False news in the name of disseminating information can prove too costly. For this the need is to provide the news based on facts rather than on fiction.

As for the problem created by the Maoists in Nuwagaon, the solution is not easy to arrive at. The army has been mobilised but considering the complicated situation they have only cordoned the area and hoping for the right response instead of using the fire power. This is in the circumstance the right move.

The safe release of the hostages is the most important thing in the mind of everyone including the government, political parties, the people in general and the families of those who have been abducted. In fact, this is the first time that so many have been abducted while on duty. This also shows that the security system needs overhauling.

The country is passing through tough times and there is urgent need to analyse the situation carefully. The economic health of the country is suffering not only because of the law and order situation but also because no one comes forward with creative suggestions. Blaming the government alone is not enough. Every political party, whether the ruling or in the opposition, have equal duty to defuse the scenario that has emerged.

The apathy of the political leaders can hardly be understood. The crisis that is in front of us needs the constructive efforts of all for bringing the country on the right track. Every sector of the economy is traversing rough terrain.

Tourism which is supposed to be a major foreign exchange earner is in doldrums. The incoming tourists are a trickle and nothing can be hoped for at the present as many governments have advised their citizens not to travel to Nepal. This calls for efforts to strengthen the law and order situation so that visitors will be attracted to come to the country. This will, of course, take time. But the drive has to be made urgently. Being complacent that tomorrow will be a better day cannot work.

Industries too are suffering. The attacks on the industries in the past has been responsible for many a industries either shutting down their shutters or scaled down production. This does not augur well for a country which has so many challenges in front of it for achieving economic prosperity.

Hope

It can be hoped that if and when the hostage taking drama ends on a positive note, things may change for the better. The government on its part must act out its role and take firm steps so that a similar type of situation does not come about in the future. This not only needs vigilance but policies and programmes based on analysis and not on an ad hoc basis.

Health Care System In Nepal And Privatization

By Bodhraj Acharya

AS the saying goes "Health is the fundamental human right of the people ", rich or poor, high or low, each and every one should get equal health facilities; there should not be any discrimination in the health care delivery system. But do the average Nepali people get the health facility at the right time and cost? The answer is definitely not. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines that "Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity". This slogan can only be an idealistic goal rather than a realistic proposition until the present form of our society prevails.

Privatisation

Privatisation of the health sector is taking place gradually; and the health facilities are confined to a limited population, to those who are capable to afford it. Recently the government has decided to privatise the pathology and the radiology services. What impact would this decision have on the health of the general people? There are arguments that the general people would not be able to afford these service. Discussions with the concerned experts ought to have been held before taking such a crucial decision. Any decision related to health matters must be taken by keeping the beneficiaries at the forefront, it should not in any case serve the interests of the political leaders alone. Since we don’t have any fixed criteria for systemic privatisation opting for privatisation haphazardly could be counter productive. The government should not take hasty decision on sensitive issues. The question of quality service must be raised! in time and there should not be any compromise in the quality of service. We should no longer talk about "what we do" and instead focus on "what people get". We must stop using terms like "could and should" and instead use "will and can". If we give a serious thought to the above issue, change for the better can certainly be made. The main focus should be given to maintain the delivery of quality health services, continuous development of the profession and also to the ethical standards.

The public must be conscious and vigilant about all the components of the health delivery system. Today, most of the people in Nepal look up to the physicians only for effective health care delivery. But the question which arises is can the physicians alone provide effective health services to the people. The answer is a big no. For the effective delivery of health services, the pathology and X- ray reports must be reliable and accurate. The drugs supplied by the pharmacist must be exact and effective. Ensuring sound of the people is a collaborative effort and must be dealt with a holistic approach. If any of the component is ruined then whole system is affected and the consumers are victimized.

Just imagine, what could happen if you are wrongly reported as HIV Positive? You would be left to await death for no cause. Hence concerted efforts on the part of physicians, pathologists and pharmacists is a must. The haphazard establishment of health institutions and nursing homes under different names has been catastrophic for the people living and working in developing countries. Most of the private nursing homes are established in the name of a research center so that it can evade tax and earn a fortune within no time. The public is compelled to go to the private health centres because most of the patients in developing nations are oblivious about their deteriorating health conditions and by the time they are conscious it is quite late. There are serious complaints coming from the patients regarding the behaviour of the health professionals inside and outside the hospitals (Clinical). Iterogenic and nosocomial infections are on the rise. The
hospitals do not follow the general norms of waste disposal of
potentially biohazardous waste. Hence they are responsible for the spread of infectious and life threatening
diseases to some extent. The government should monitor the quality of halth services being rendered by the private sector, Monitoring and giving accreditation to private health centres should be started immediately before there is a cmplete chaos in the health sector.

Failure to address the preversions aggravate the situation further. Indeed lack of timely steps to bring about rapid progress could make things difficult and more expensive.

Health And Politics

The quest for health cannot be separated from people’s struggle against social injustice and inequality which are the key determinants for "good health at low cost". Good leaders must be apprised about key issues. The nation must strive towards "Positive Health". The actions must be based on clear values, and informed by scientific analysis of available information, and past experience. It should not just be based on belief, anecdote or ideology. We must know how to decide at the right time to make changes, and implement them. Being confident means taking bold decisions based on complete information. Effective leadership is needed to act early, effectively and boldly.

Staying Away From Drugs

By Uday Lama

THERE could be any number of drug addicts in Kathmandu although there is no statistics to account for their exact number. And there is no indication to provide a glimpse of the g rowing problem which is the tip of the iceberg. Ther underlying causes are many and are being tipped off for the conditions of the victims.

Using drugs is a stigma and is frowned upon by the society and the rest of the milieu that makes it up. Punitive measures are rarely taken against first time offenders and they are given a chance to spruce up and behave themselves. Hardened timers are sent off to rehabilitation centers in order to detoxify their nerves and system.

There is no way to classify those dependant on drugs except link their usage to narcotic, hallucinogenic and other addictive substances. These are found around street corners, in joints where they gather under the cover of darkness and in secretive trade-offs. All that is needed to get a sample of the drug is knowing where and when these take place.

Drug come at a price and no one however exalted or lowly is exempt; Once hooked one continues to sniff or inject the vile stuff till the senses are knocked out. One day merges into the other except for the times when one is high. It takes no time for one to turn into a degenerate with no will and nothing to call one’s own.

Drug usage comes about through pressure from peer groups who may press one to experiment with it and the outcome is alienation from the mainstream of society. Roaming around with the gang may suffuse with a sense of pride but becomes a nightmare when their demands are not met. Resistance is met with scorn and derision. And thus life is spent on frittering on illegal substances till one meets with an ignoble end.

There is nothing heroic with being an addict—a term used to point out a person who is already hardened to drug use. Dosage are increased at regular intervals since the body gets used to it and develops tolerance. More and more of the stuff are required to get heady and in the right mood. A spiralling tendency with nothing to justify it save for the hallucinations and fever of spirit it produces.

Parental instructions are brushed aside as being of no consequence and other vested authorities are no heeded. When they could tender support and give much needed advice and guidance. The various NGO’s and related social organisations working with scarce funds and a skeletal manpower are hard pressed to cleaning up the mess. Those left behind by addicts with no thought for themselves and the situation they find their lives in.

While an aghast society looks on the youths are bent on a course of self-destruction. And operating on the fringes are the drug pushers and the middlemen who make a profit from selling stuff that should be consigned to flames. Enforcement of laws do not prevent consignments from reachings the users who many obtain them with ease. Tip-offs from informants should be used where possible to carry out raids on dealers and the premises from where they operate.