KATHMANDU, Dec 5: Dr Kiran Regmi, who retired as the secretary at the Ministry of Health (MoH) on Monday, described her exit as a new beginning of her life.

Speaking at the farewell program organized at the MoH, Dr Regmi said, “Life has different phases with different responsibilities.” 

“From today, I am relieved from the pressure of phone calls from ministers and other power centers,” said Dr Regmi. “I used to hesitate to take phone calls in the fear of being asked for the transfer of staffers or other unethical decisions,” she said revealing that the power centers mount pressure on the bureaucrats.

During her secretarial post of six months, she worked with three health ministers - former ministers Gagan Thapa and Giriraj Mani Pokharel and the sitting minister Dipak Bohara.
Dr Regmi further said that she never took wrong decisions against the people and principles of health concerns. “I did what I could since I was appointed secretary about six months ago,” she said, “I just wanted to restructure the health facilities, manpower and policies as per the federal structures of the country. I was successful in doing that.”

Dr Regmi, who is a gynecologist, expressed her undaunted commitment to work as a doctor in the days ahead too. “I am happy to say goodbye now,” she told the staffers who said they were sad to bid her farewell. She joined the government service in 1987 and served 24 years outside the Kathmandu Valley.

Dr Regmi, the daughter of poet laureate Madhav Prasad Ghimire, concluded saying that she would travel to different parts of the country during her retired life. “This freedom will definitely add happiness to my life.”

Dr Pushpa Chaudhari, officiating secretary of the MoH, said that Dr Regmi is a wonderful, honest and dedicated doctor and administrator.

 
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