Health minister urges parties not to disrupt election environment

KATHMANDU: Newly appointed Minister for Health and Population, Dr Sudha Gautam, has urged all political parties not to attempt to disrupt the upcoming elections.

Speaking to reporters after visiting Gen Z protestors injured during recent demonstrations and undergoing treatment at the National Trauma Center and the TU Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu on Monday, Minister Gautam called for restraint from all sides.

She said that since the government is currently focused on holding the elections, there was no need for continuous protests in the name of opposing them.

Stating that injured patients had drawn her attention to irregularities and mismanagement in hospitals, she pledged to work toward reforms based on their suggestions.

“It was very difficult to see the condition of the injured,” she said. “I don’t want the country to head toward another round of protests. I sincerely request those opposing the government and trying to disrupt the elections not to do so,” she said. “The essence of our people’s movement was to eliminate corruption and irregularities. We must all continue working in that direction.”