25 May 2021, Nepalgunj: With the increase of COVID-19 cases and subsequent lockdown, the children at the Correction Homes are at more risk than ever. AF has been regularly monitoring the situation of children at the Correction Homes all over the country. In regard to this, on 24 May 2021, AF lawyer Basanta Gautam held a conversation with Bimala Kaucha Magar, the in-charge of Child Correction Home of Aasmanpur, Banke over the phone to collect information about the CCH and the situation of children during the pandemic. Magar informed that currently there are 148 children in the Correction Home which is almost double of its capacity. For their safety, physical visits are prohibited as of now and PCR tests are conducted before detaining and registering any new juveniles.
Magar informed that nearly 41 children suffered from the common cold and had trouble in breathing. Hence, Magar had requested District Administration Office for COVID tests which went unfulfilled. She had to take the children to a private clinic for treatment and medicines. The children are slowly recuperating.
At present, there are still some children who are ill and require treatment. Though there is a health worker at the Correction Home, the treatment is not adequate. Magar shared that recently a child whose legs are paralyzed needed an X-ray but due to lack of money, she paid for the test at her personal expense.
AF urges the concerned authorities to address the current problems at CCH Bank and ensure treatment and medicines for needy children.
