Health Ministry to provide COVID vaccines to people affected by floods, landslides

The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) has decided to give priority to people of areas that have been affected by the floods and landslides for the coronavirus vaccines. Health Minister Krishna Gopal Shrestha made this decision while assuming office after he was given the responsibility of the ministry on Thursday.

The minister mentioned that COVID-19 vaccines will soon be brought to control the spread of the virus in Nepal. He stated that there had been too much talk about the vaccines till date but now he would focus on actually bringing the vaccines and doing the needful. He added that he believed in action rather than words and he would do all that is necessary to bring the coronavirus vaccines.

Minister Shrestha informed that talks were being held with the governments of various countries for the import of COVID vaccines. He also said that the spread of the coronavirus could be controlled only if there was coordination between the federal, provincial and local governments.

The government has already started preparations for the third wave of the virus, he said. He added that the safety of the citizens was the government’s first priority and he would work to control the spread of the infection so that other sectors can move ahead.

Meanwhile, the health minister also informed that there had already been an agreement in principle to avail Rs 330 million from Nepal Bankers’ Association to establish the infrastructure that is necessary for the treatment of children infected with COVID-19.

Minister Shrestha also mentioned that the government will add 600 Intensive Care Units (ICUs), 100 ventilators and 1,400 High-dependency Units (HDUs) for the treatment of patients infected with coronavirus. Similarly, 250 beds will be added for treatment of COVID-infected children.

On the occasion, Laxman Aryal, Secretary of the Health Ministry said that if 33 per cent of the population could be vaccinated by mid-October then the spread of the coronavirus could be controlled to a great degree. He also informed that the process to purchase 11 million doses of vaccines has already been started.