Free health camp meant for conflict victims ends without reaching out to them

ROLPA, Aug 13: A week-long free health camp organized by the provincial government targeting people who became physically disabled during the Maoist insurgency has ended before the conflict victims could visit the camp.

The camp organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law of Province 5 failed to impress many conflict victims and the deadline given for free treatment was too short. 

Even though the government data shows that 595 physically disabled people are registered in the district of Rolpa alone, only 61 received the treatment. The free health camp organized at the Lumbini Zonal Hospital ended on July 16, according to the ministry. 

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Although the camp was set up spending a large amount of fund, people of Rolpa who were affected by the insurgency complained that they were deprived of getting any kind of pre-information about the free camp. 

Ajay Gharti, who lost his hand during the decade-long armed conflict complained of being deprived of getting the state-announced treatment.  “My prosthetic arm is old and already cracked everywhere. I haven't been able to get a new one due to poverty,” Gharti complained, adding, “It was impossible to go to Butwal and get free service within the short notice. Only 5-6 days are not enough to arrange everything and get their service.” 

Gharti blamed the provincial government for just misusing the fund in the name of the conflict-injured persons. 

Luv Bahadur Rokka of Thawang also lost his hand during the conflict and he needs further checkup and treatment which is impossible due to his poor financial status. Not knowing about the camp, he could not take the free service opportunity. “The role we played during the conflict is of no importance today,” laments Rokka.

The ministry also notified about distributing materials related to training for self employment to 630 people including people injured in the conflict and the families of the displaced, dead and missing ones. However, there is no record of the beneficiaries. No one knows where the material supplies went. Such programs  conducted without a social audit are creating platforms for huge corruption.