Sep 01, Kathmandu- The Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers has instructed the Ministry of Health and Population to conduct Outpatient Services (OPD) of hospitals even on public holidays.

The joint secretary of the office, Hiramani Sharma, has written a letter to the ministry, instructing the hospital to make arrangements to provide all types of services, including outpatient services, on public holidays. It is mentioned in the letter that the instructions have been issued as per the provisions in the gazette notification. In the notification, it is mentioned that all types of health related services (including outpatient services) provided by hospitals should be conducted on public holidays.

The Cabinet Office has also requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to coordinate and monitor the necessary arrangements for providing services. In the special arrangement, it has been mentioned that services related to citizenship, national identity card, passport, foreign employment services including hospitals should be conducted on public days like any other day.

Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and Population, said that the directive to operate the hospital's outpatient services on public days will be implemented. He said that the discussion is also on how to manage the employees who work on public holidays.