Preparedness for Coronavirus Disease in Hospitals of Nepal: A Nationwide Survey

Abstract

Introduction: Coronavirus disease pandemic has affected large number of people
globally and has continued to spread. Preparedness of individual nations and the hospitals is
important to effectively deal with the surge of cases. We aimed to obtain nation wide data from
Nepal, about hospital preparedness for COVID-19.

Methods: Online questionnaire was prepared in accordance with the Center for Disease Control
recommendations to assess preparedness of hospitals for COVID-19. The questionnaire was
circulated to the over 800 doctors across the nation, who are the life members of six medical societies.

Results: We obtained 131 completed responses from all seven provinces. Majority of respondents
had anaesthesiology as the primary specialty. Only 52 (39.7%) participants mentioned that their
hospital had policy to receive suspected or proven cases with COVID-19. Presence of isolation
ward was mentioned by 83 (63.4%) respondents, with only 9 (6.9%)mentioning the presence
of airborne isolation. Supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) was inadequate as per 124
(94.7%) respondents. Critical care services for COVID-19 patients were possible only in hospitals of
42 (32.1%)respondents. RT-polymerase chain reaction could be performed only in the hospital of 6
(4.6%) respondents.

Conclusions: It is apparent that most of the hospitals are not well prepared for management of
patients with COVID-19. Resource allocation and policy making should be aimed to enhance national
preparedness for the pandemic.