Access To Social Security
MINISTER for Health Dr Upendra Devkota said that social protection of the people has been
the prime concern and objectve of the present government, which has brought about a
package programme to accomplish its goal of providing social protection to the people.
Addressing a one-day interaction programme held in Kathmandu the other day, Minister
Devekota said that the government has announced a new health policy to provide the people
especialy those who are poor and downtrodden with easy access to health services. Nepal
has always given priority to social service sector in order to uplift social and economic
condition of the people, and bring them into the mainstream of development. These sectors
include, among others, education, health and human resource development. A large portion
of national budget is spent every year in these sectors. Similarly, various donor agencies
have provided financial as well as technical support to Nepal in the sector of social
services. As a result, there has been some quantative progress in the field of health and
education. The number of schools, students, teachers, hospitals, health posts and medical
workers has definitely increased. However, the qualitative development is far from
satisfactory. Moreover, the Maoist violence and terrorism has damaged schools and health
posts in rural areas, which have not only made the people's life difficult but also have
deprived them of their right of access to education and health care. While limited
resources of the government have not been able to meet the growing demands and needs of
the people in social service sector, the violence and terrorism has made people
politically, socially and economically vulnerable and insecured. The first and foremost
right of the people is the right to live. However, people have not felt secured because of
violence. Unless people feel safe and secured, any other efforts for social security
cannot bear fruits in real terms. The priority at present should, thus, be to ensure
physical security of the people. People cannot enjoy their rights, be that social,
economic or political, at the time of conflicts. Thus the conflicts and violence, which
has seriousely and severely affected the country, must be stopped by whatever means
possible. As the governemnt has been seriously working towards ending the violence, all
sectors within and without the country including Nepal's true friends and well wishers
need to cooperate the efforts of the government to restore peace and stability. It is only
after the restoration of peace that people can freely enjoy other rights including social
security.
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