Govt to cover medical costs of journalists injured in Gen Z protests
He also highlighted that, if desired, the Federation of Journalists should assist in providing appropriate employment opportunities for the injured reporters.
KATHMANDU: The government has announced that it will cover the medical expenses of journalists injured during reporting on the recent Gen Z protests.
Addressing a program at Singha Durbar on Friday, where injured journalists were honored with cash awards, Government Spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagdish Kharel made the announcement.
During the protests, four journalists were injured by police pellets and rubber bullets. The journalists honored included Shyam Shrestha (Kantipur TV), Dipendra Dhungana (Naya Patrika Daily), Umesh Karki (Nepal Press.com), and Shambhu Dangal.
Minister Kharel urged the journalists to stay in regular contact with the government regarding their treatment and emphasized that the state has a duty to bear their medical expenses. “The government is already spending huge amounts elsewhere—why wouldn’t it cover your treatment? There should be no misinformation: the government cares, it acts,” he said.
He also highlighted that, if desired, the Federation of Journalists should assist in providing appropriate employment opportunities for the injured reporters.
On the occasion, Minister Kharel also urged open discussion on mental health. In a video message released as part of the government’s ongoing ‘Mental Health Awareness Campaign,’ he encouraged people to share their thoughts and feelings with close ones.
“Open conversations are the greatest medicine for mental health issues. Let’s discuss and address prevention and treatment to make it easier to face these challenges,” he said, noting that mental health has become a pressing concern, particularly in the aftermath of COVID-19 and the Gen Z movement.
The Ministry of Health and Population is running a mental health awareness campaign from Mangsir 24 to Falgun 30 under the slogan ‘Healthy Mind, Healthy Life – Let’s Talk About It,’ aiming to integrate mental health services into primary healthcare and ensure accessibility for all citizens.
