KATHMANDU, June 7: Beating up health workers is punishable according to the new provisions incorporated in the Ordinance on the Security of Health Workers and Health Institutions.

Thrashing or injuring health workers is punishable acts and those responsible for such acts may face upto three years in prison or Rs 300,000 in fine or both, according to Clause 3 of the Ordinance on the Security of Health Workers and Health Institutions (First Amendment), 2078. The ordinance was issued by President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Sunday. 

Those involved in the attack and vandalism of health institutions also may face three years of imprisonment or Rs 300,000 in fine or both as punishment. The ordinance also recognizes the act of torching health institutions as a punishable act and proposes two to five years in prison or Rs 200,000 or Rs 500,000 in fine or both as punishment. 

Similarly, activities like padlocking health institutions, interfering in the treatment of patients and manhandling and meting out ill-treatment to health workers are subject to up to one year in prison and Rs 100,000 in fine or both.

The ordinance states that if the property of the health institution is damaged due to vandalism and arson, the amount equal to the damage shall be recovered from the perpetrators involved.

 
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