Kathmandu: Female health volunteers will now be able to use public transportation for free while performing their duties.
In an initiative led by Health and Population Minister Pradeep Paudel, transportation operators have announced that they will not charge fares for public transport used for health-related purposes. This agreement was reached in the presence of Minister Paudel at the Ministry.
Minister Paudel had previously declared that they were working towards offering free transportation as a token of appreciation for the services of female health volunteers from the disaster-affected Rosi area of Kavre, with results expected soon.
Some time ago, Minister Paudel requested the National Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs to offer free transportation for female health volunteers, who have been tirelessly providing maternal, child, and community health services for a long time, despite limited resources.
After the National Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs agreed, the understanding was formalized at the Ministry on Friday. The arrangement will come into effect from Kartik 15 (October 31). Federation President Vijay Bahadur Swar agreed to implement this at the request of Minister Paudel.
Minister Paudel stated, “This decision is significant in recognizing the contributions of female health volunteers to the nation’s healthcare sector.
I would like to express my gratitude to the National Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs for their support under their corporate social responsibility.”
Minister Paudel also mentioned that the government is considering additional ways to support health volunteers.
President Swar of the Federation noted that Minister Paudel had been requesting free services for some time and announced that the Federation would offer this facility under their corporate social responsibility.
Basanti Maharjan, president of the umbrella organization representing female health volunteers, expressed her gratitude to Minister Paudel and the Federation, calling the decision highly significant.
“This is a big decision for us,” she said, thanking the Minister and the transport entrepreneurs. Dr. Bhim Sapkota, chief of the Coordination Division at the Ministry of Health, informed that 52,000 female health volunteers would benefit from this agreement.
The Federation’s commitment includes providing priority access to free public transport throughout the respective districts where the volunteers are assigned, under their social responsibility.
The Federation specified that female community health volunteers must wear their uniforms or carry their identification cards to avail themselves of the free transportation.
