Nepal, Sept. 19 -- First thing first

The right to health is one of the fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution. This needs to be interpreted as an inclusive right extending not only to timely and appropriate health care but also to the underlying determinants of health, such as access to medical care, safe and potable water and adequate sanitation, an adequate supply of safe food, nutrition and housing, healthy occupational and environmental conditions and access to health-related education and information. The ongoing pandemic is a reminder that the right to health is of supreme importance to all of us.

Nepal is a state party to a number of international treaties, and the International Convention of Economic Social and Cultura...