Doctors' suggestion to control COVID surge

The government held discussions with specialist doctors about the increasing COVID surge. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba today held discussions with officials of Nepal Medical Council, Nepal Medical Association, and infectious disease specialist on corona control.

During the discussion, the experts made suggestions on the current status of COVID infection in Nepal, how to move forward in the coming days and how to stop the increasing COVID cases. During the discussion, the participating doctors drew attention to the steps that should be taken by the government to control the new COVID variant, 'Omicron' as well.

The participating specialist doctors stressed the need to increase the scope of COVID testing, to build hospitals dedicated to COVID not only in Kathmandu Valley but also in every district, isolation center, holding center, and to manage sufficient manpower to fight the epidemic.

In the last few days, even the doctors involved in the treatment of infected people have been affected by the infection. A large number of corona infections have been seen in health workers. The risk of citizens not getting treatment has increased due to the spread of infection among health workers.

Dr. Janak Koirala, an infectious disease specialist at Patan Hospital, said that the doctors and nurses of some hospitals were infected, there was a shortage of manpower. So they also discussed how to meet the shortage of skilled manpower and to strengthen the health condition of the health workers.

The government has issued various orders to control the coronavirus. Doctors had expressed concern that there are still big crowds despite the government's insistence not to go out of the house unless absolutely necessary. The doctor suggested that the government should be strict in following the standards of public health.

The doctors said that there was no need to stop the work immediately and suggested that government implement the order and strictly adhere to the health standards. "The doctors participating in the discussion have not recommended a lockdown," said Dr Koirala.

Doctors had suggested implementing smart lockdown and intensifying the vaccination campaign.

Prime Minister Deuba also said that the new variant has added challenges to the control of the spread. He also stated the government aims to vaccinate all Nepali by mid-April.