Minister for Health and Population Pradeep Paudel has expressed the commitment to provide free treatment and medicines to the diarrhea and cholera patients visiting the Narayani Hospital in Birgunj. 

Minister Paudel, who came here to observe the status of diarrhea and cholera outbreak in and around Birgunj, instructed the hospital management to ensure free treatment services to the infected people. 

"I urge the Narayani Hospital to manage medicines of any kind to the patients coming here for diarrhea and cholera treatment without any fee", he said, adding, "If the drugs of the World Health Organization's protocol are adequate that’s okay. Otherwise, the hospital management is urged to freely provide additional medicines if needed". 

On the occasion, Minister Paudel enquired about the health services of the hospital and grievances if any. "The patients shared that they have to purchase some medicines". 

The minister instructed the hospital management to not charge any cost to the patients while undertaking any tests for diarrhea and cholera. 

He further said that medicines will be arranged at any cost in coordination among the three tiers of government. The Ministry will not allow the dearth of medicines and health human resources so as to prevent further outbreak of diarrhea and cholera. 

Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, Chuman Lal Das informed that a total of 48 patients are undergoing treatment of the infectious water-borne diseases at the hospital.