Kathmandu. The decision of the federal government to not bear the medical expenses of all citizens for the treatment of COVID-19 has been challenged by provincial governments. The provincial governments have kept the previous provision just the same.

The Cabinet meeting on October 5 had decided to bear the treatment expenses of only a special category of the infected and the free medical treatment of the COVID-19 patients has been stopped by the federal government since October 18.  Following the government’s plan, hospitals have even published notices to deposit the security amount before the commencement of treatment.

The first chief minister to go against the federal decision is Shankar Pokharel of Lumbini Province. Pokharel, considered to be one of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s confidants, has become the first to defy the central government’s directive. He posted on his Facebook wall on October 19 about providing free medical treatment to all COVID-19 patients in his province.

Mahendra Bahadur Shahi became the second Chief Minister to challenge the federal government’s decision. Shahi, who has recently faced a vote of no confidence from his own party MPs led by Yam Lal Kandel, a leader close to PM Oli, informed from Kathmandu about the provincial government’s former decision remaining as it is. Thus, he has killed two birds with a stone.

The Bagmati Province comes third in the list in going against the central government. It has also challenged the decision to provide COVID-19 medical expenses to only a special category of the infected and upholds its earlier provision of providing treatment to all COVID-19 patients.

The decision of the federal government to cancel free coronavirus medical treatment to all citizens has received criticism within the ruling Nepal Communist Party. Madhav Kumar Nepal, senior leader of the party, denounced the decision of the government issuing a statement of Tuesday.