Govt asked to intensify test, vaccination drive to contain fresh wave of COVID-19

Published On: January 16, 2022 09:32 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Jan 16: As the country recorded a rapid rise in the coronavirus infection in the recent days signaling immediate risk of the third wave, the government has consulted the specialists for the containment of coronavirus.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on Saturday held discussions with the infectious disease specialists and office-bearers of Nepal Medical Council and Nepal Medical Association regarding the control of the virus.

On the occasion, the specialist doctors suggested that the government increased the scope of coronavirus tests, developed a dedicated COVID hospital in each district, ensured isolation centers, set up holding centers and managed sufficient human resources to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

In recent days, a large number of doctors involved in the treatment of COVID patients from Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) and Bir Hospital got infected with the virus, posing a threat of human resources crisis for the treatment of COVID patients.

Infectious disease specialist of Patan Hospital Dr Janak Koirala said that the doctors offered suggestions to the PM for ensuring medical persons' good health and the ways to ensure sufficient human resources for the treatment amid the infections among the doctors, nurses and other health personnel.

On the occasion, the medical personnel expressed their concerns over the unnecessary crowds despite the government's appeal to stay home and avoid public gatherings.

The doctors also said that the government should strictly impose the public health protocol, adding that there was no situation to impose a lockdown immediately.

In response, PM Deuba said that the new Omicron variant of coronavirus added challenges in the control of coronavirus. The PM said that the government had targeted to vaccinate all eligible citizens by mid-April.

The PM was of the view that the citizens would be given booster dose against COVID by fully vaccinating all while pledging to establish holding centers in the border areas and ensure doctors in the health institutions.

(RSS)