Govt should pay special attention to mental health of flood victims: Indira Rana Magar

KATHMANDU: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Indira Rana Magar has said that the government should pay special attention to the health treatment and mental health of the flood-affected areas including Rasuwa.

Speaking in the meeting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, lawmaker Rana Magar said that many people are suffering from mental problems as well as physical problems due to floods and disasters.

Stating that she had directly participated in rescuing children and women in Bidur municipality of Nuwakot, she said that some of the rescued people were suffering from health problems and many were suffering from mental problems.

She said that there is a lack of adequate hospitals and rehabilitation centers for mental health treatment and rehabilitation after the disaster. She said that although the economically capable people are in a position to get treatment from the private sector, it is difficult for the victims of poor and impoverished families to get treatment.

Lawmaker Rana Magar said that the people who have lost all their property due to the disaster should not have to bear the burden of medical expenses themselves. He suggested that necessary documents and identity cards should be arranged through the concerned local level or ward while sending the flood victims to different hospitals for treatment.

She said that the government should bear the additional medical expenses of the disaster-affected people.

Stating that addressing the basic needs of the flood victims was the responsibility of the state, she said that the government should work more sensitively during the time of disaster.