14 March, 2020
-Dr. Manju Ratna Sakya
General Secretary, NPFCA
Nepal became federal republic a few years ago but the decentralisation of powers - the core principle of federalism - is yet to be achieved in real sense. The nation has been divided into seven provinces with over 700 local units but state power and resources are still concentrated in the capital city and federalism has merely turned symbolic. So are the medical facilities, education and job opportunities.
Basic services
Concentration of medical services in Kathmandu that shelters the central administration of nation means the people living in the far-flung parts of country are unable to receive basic amenities essential for their better survival. Even in Kathmandu, ordinary people living on modest incomes find it difficult to get the quality health and education services, let alone the poor folks residing in villages. Many people do not visit health posts and hospitals until harmful diseases grip them. It is common fact that the people are unwilling to go to doctors until the serious ailments strike them down. One is the lack of awareness that refrain them from meeting the physicians. Another important factor is the lack of money that compels them to live with diseases, which can be prevented or cured if they are diagnosed in time. This is predicament of majority of Nepalese, thanks to the poverty and indifference of the state to its people.
However, locals in Kathmandu, Panchkhal, Dapcha, Dhulikhel and surrounding areas are free from this compulsive pain. These people are lucky in the sense that they get free medical services once in a year. Nepal-Pakistan Friendship & Cultural Association has been conducting the free medical camps for the last seven years in different VDCs and municipalities of Kavre, Dhulikheland and Kathmandu. Every year around a dozen doctors come to these places and offer their services to the needy, poor, disabled and elderly people. Many people come to know what diseases have caught them as they visit the medical camps.
Recently, NPFCA organised 12th Free Medical Camp at Samaj Kalyan Primary School of Panchkhal, Kavre on 25th January 2020. It was inaugurated by Hon. Mayor of Panchkhal Municipality Mr. Mahesh Kharel, H.E. Ambassador of Pakistan Dr. Mazhar Javed and NPFCA President Mr. Himalaya S. Rana jointly amidst a special function by lighting traditional oil fed Panas lamp. In each and every Free Medical Camps more than 500 patients benefitted directly.
Pakistani government has been supporting the free medical camps from Nepalese Doctors who graduated from Pakistan. I think this is the unique way of boosting people-to-people relations between Nepal and Pakistan. Normally diplomatic relations among the countries are mostly determined by the volume of trade, investment, political and cultural exchanges. But the constructive approach of the Association has been innovative and instrumental to broaden the ties between the two friendly nations.
Nepal-Pakistan relations formally started in 1960. The two nations have enjoyed excellent relations at the government-to-government and people-to people level for decades. The Association, set up in December 1961 (9th Magh 2018) Monday, has been playing catalytic role in promoting and expanding Nepal-Pakistan relations through social and cultural activities. The Association has been mobilising the Nepali doctors graduated from Pakistan to conduct the health camps. This reflects these doctors’ loyalty towards nation and selfless services to the patients. The patients suffering from diabetic, blood pressure, neurological, ENT, heart, gynecology, paediatric and orthopaedic problems enjoyed free treatment and medicines. They get medicine and X-ray and Ultra-Sound test free of cost too. The poor patients are provided medicines for five months freely. Around 1600 Nepali doctors have so far graduated from Pakistan.
Senior Consultant Pediatrician Dr. Ramesh Malla of SMS Clinic, Hattisar, Kamalpokhari who graduated from King Edward Medical University of Lahore in 1985 is very sincerely serving to the patients in the Free Medical Camps with his young assistants Mr. Suresh Adhikari, Miss Rabina Maharjan, Mr. Rajan Silwal. Likewise, Dr. Malla is also kindly contributing free medicine in the camps.
Senior Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Prabin Bahadur Pradhan, who graduated from King Edward Medical University of Lahore in 2001 and Senior Dr. Bharat Bahadur Pradhan MBBS, MD (Ortho) who also graduated from Pakistan is also serving to the patients in the free medical camps.
Chairman and CEO of VIJAYADEEP Laboratories Ltd. Mr. Pradeep Man Vaidya is kindly contributing free medicines to the camps.
Independence Day of Pakistan
The Association has been annually organizing the Independence Day of Pakistan on August 14 for many years to deepen Nepal-Pakistan ties at the people to people level. It is a great a pleasure for NPFCA to welcome and honour to Rt. Hon’ble Vice President Mr. Nanda Bahadur Pun for kindly presiding as a Chief Guest in each and every Independence Day of Pakistan. Hon’ble Foreign Minister, Higher Government officials including from MOFA, high Govt. levels leaders from different political parties, diplomats, civil society members, business and academic community, doctors, industrialists, bankers and medias among others attend the Independence Day of Pakistan and shared their views on Nepal-Pakistan ties. It also features documentary shows and musical fanfare. Pakistani Ambassador to Nepal offers his opinions and insights on the occasion. The speakers commend and assess the bonhomie between Nepal and Pakistan and suggest the ways for furthering the mutual bonds.
Nepal and Pakistan have been cordial friends since they established diplomatic relations in 1960.They enjoy trouble-free ties. Pakistan is a credible and tested friend that has always extended its selfless support and service to Nepal when the latter faces crisis. There are many instances to attest this fact. The two nations have witnessed high level exchanges of visits at political, diplomatic and academic levels, taking the bilateral relations to new heights. Pakistan’s assistance in the field of economy, education and technical science is highly praiseworthy. Nepal and Pakistan share common views on many regional and international issues roiling the countries. Both aspire to stability, peace, development and democracy. As the chair of SAARC, Nepal has responsibility to play important role in bringing together the South Asian nations and boost confidence and trust among them.
NPFCA website
With a view to expanding Nepal-Pakistan ties, NPFCA has launched its own website that provides useful information about Nepal-Pakistan friendly relations. It seeks to apprise the viewers of the activities of the Association undertaken to strengthen the bond of remarkably cordial relationship between the government and people of Nepal and Pakistan. The NPFCA website was launched by Rt. Hon’ble Vice President Mr. Nanda Bahadur Pun amidst a special but very attractive ceremony on 10th December 2017. The digital efforts to enhance the approchement between the two friendly nations are greeted by the people wishing to see both nations working together from the common benefits. NPFCA humbly request to all to visit NPFCA website www.npfca.org.np regularly.
NPFCA Contact Office
NPFCA has set up its office at Maitighar and Kalimati in Kathmandu. With a view to provide valuable information about Pakistan to the interested people. It distributes necessary documents and books on Pakistan. We hold interactions on Nepal-Pakistan ties time to time. Our main goal is to present Nepal-Pakistan ties in true perspective and remove negative propaganda that harms Nepal-Pakistan ties. This initiative has been hailed by the people from different walks of life.
Cooperation
Broad understanding, mutual cooperation and exchanges of visits has enhanced the bilateral ties. Similar culture and civilizational values have further enhanced our mutual fraternity. Achieving enduring peace, stability and prosperity form common goals of two nations. We have to conduct creative activities to further promote the bilateral ties. It is imperative for all to contribute on their respective sides to promote Nepal-Pakistan relations to new high.
Nepal-Pakistan Friendship and Cultural Association wishes continue peace, glory and prosperity for the people of Pakistan. The Nepalese people have been closely watching with deep interest and sense of high appreciation to the attaining of marvellous achievement of vast developments made by the people of Pakistan.
LONG LIVE NEPAL - PAKISTAN FRIENDLY RELATIONS
* Dr. Sakya is the President of Nepal Journalists Association, General Secretary of Nepal-Pakistan Friendship & Cultural Association and Chief Editor of ARPAN Weekly also.
Social Network
Follows us on Facebook
Site Visit
This site has been visited
times since 28 September 2013