Kathmandu, August 28
The Ministry of Health has directed employees working in the health sector not to take leave except in essential circumstances amid the ongoing disaster situation.
The ministry has also instructed staff to remain on standby for search, rescue and treatment services, including on public holidays.
In a directive issued by the ministry’s Administration and Management Division on Friday, the ministry expressed condolences to those who lost their lives in the devastating floods and landslides triggered by the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa. It said search, rescue, medical treatment and relief operations are underway in the affected areas.
The ministry has instructed all employees under its jurisdiction to remain available for deployment in disaster management and not to approve leave or official travel assignments except for special reasons or urgent work.
Similarly, heads, focal persons and responsible officials of agencies involved in search, rescue and treatment have been instructed to remain present at their offices even on public holidays.
Other employees have also been directed to remain on standby to ensure essential services continue.
The ministry has requested health workers at hospitals to make necessary arrangements to treat people injured in the floods and landslides, including on public holidays.
