Sunil Neupane, Kathmandu, Transport operators have agreed to provide free public transportation for work for Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs). Transport operators have announced that they will not charge fares for public transport used for health purposes. This understanding was reached in the presence of  Health and Population Minister Pradeep Paudel at the ministry.

Minister Paudel had previously requested the National Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs to provide free transportation for FCHVs who have been supporting for maternal, child, and community health services for a long time. Following this request, the federation agreed, and an understanding was reached on Friday at the ministry. The arrangement will be implemented from Kartik 15, with the federation’s president, Vijay Bahadur Swar, agreeing to the minister’s request.

Minister Paudel stated that this decision is significant in recognizing the role of female health volunteers in the country’s health sector. He expressed gratitude to the National Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs for their support under their corporate social responsibility. The federation’s president, Swar, announced that they would provide this facility under their corporate social responsibility, as requested by Minister Paudel.

Basanti Maharjan, president of the female health volunteers’ organization Hivon, expressed gratitude to Minister Paudel and the federation, stating that this is a significant decision for them. Dr. Bhim Sapkota, head of the coordination division at the Ministry of Health, said that 52,000 female health volunteers would benefit from this agreement. The federation has committed to prioritizing free transportation for female community health volunteers wearing their uniforms or carrying identification cards, as part of their social responsibility.