POKHARA, April 14: Rewati Subedi, who suffers from high blood pressure and diabetes, was extremely worried over the ongoing lockdown imposed by the government to prevent the novel coronavirus from spreading. The medicines which she needed to take daily were running out of stock and all of a sudden everyone were told to follow the stay-home order. However, now she is relieved thanks to the initiation taken by the local government.
"I used to get medicine from shop every week. But this time, things were different," said the local of Rupa Rural Municipality – 7. "We cannot go out, neither are the shops open. So I was quite worried about my medications. But the ward office solved this problem," she added.
The rural municipality had announced the facility to provide medicines at doorstep to chronic patients a few days ago. After she contacted the ward office, her details were recorded. The next day, a ward staffer reached her door to provide her the needed medicine.
Mayor delivers medicines to COVID-19 patients at their homes
"I am so relieved. Medicines were brought to my doorstep. Or else I would have been so helpless," said an elated Subedi. "Many patients like me are now relaxed."
The drugs and insulin are not for free, however. The patient has to pay for it.
According to Bishnu Prasad Poudel of the same ward, who also received necessary drugs without hassles at home, the local government has proved it presence through other similar acts. Had there not been the local government in place, it would have been really be difficult for ill persons like him during this critical period. "There is lockdown going on, but our needs have been fulfilled. This is a praiseworthy matter. This has become easy due to the active local government," he noted.
Poudel further stated that the rural municipality has also assured of ambulance services in case of emergency. "Lockdown is the need of the time, when the government is trying hard to manage things, we must also support the government earnestly," he noted.
Meanwhile, Bishnu Pokharel, chief administrative officer of the rural municipality informed that a total of 450 people in the rural municipality have already been supplied with medicines. For a patient of blood cancer, the office sent its staff to Chitwan for his medicines. "People are locked at home. They cannot move freely. So it is our duty to try our best to address their problem," he said. "Health comes first and we are working accordingly, we have been delivering medicines the very next day they notify us," he added.
Pokharel stressed that the municipality office wants to ensure that no chronic patient in the area has to be deprived of medications due to this lockdown. "They call us or send us SMS and we respond to it promptly. We want to make sure all those chronic patients get their medicines on time. Similarly, there is a separate team to address emergency needs," he stated.
