COVID 19 and Nepal: Identification of Critical Public Health Measures

Authors

  • Harish Chandra Neupane Department of Surgery, Chitwan Medical College, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal.
  • Niki Shrestha Department of Community Medicine, Chitwan Medical College, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal.
  • Shital Adhikari Critical Care Division, Chitwan Medical College, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal.
  • Basanta Gauli Critical Care Division, Chitwan Medical College, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31729/jnma.4950

Keywords:

COVID-19, Nepal, World Health Organization

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is unfolding at an unprecedented pace. The unprecedented threat provides
an opportunity to emerge with robust health systems. Nepal has implemented several containment
measures such as Rapid Response Team formulation; testing; isolation; quarantine; contact tracing;
surveillance, establishment of COVID-19 Crisis Management Centre and designation of dedicated
hospitals to gear up for the pandemic. The national public health emergency management
mechanisms need further strengthening with the proactive engagement of relevant ministries; we
need a strong, real-time national surveillance system and capacity building of a critical mass of health
care workers; there is a need to further assess infection prevention and control capacity; expand
the network of virus diagnostic laboratories in the private sector with adequate surge capacity;
implement participatory community engagement interventions and plan for a phased lockdown
exit strategy enabling sustainable suppression of transmission at low-level and enabling in resuming
some parts of economic and social life.

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Published

2020-05-30

How to Cite

Neupane, H. C. ., Shrestha, N., Adhikari, S., & Gauli, B. (2020). COVID 19 and Nepal: Identification of Critical Public Health Measures. Journal of Nepal Medical Association, 58(225), 355–359. https://doi.org/10.31729/jnma.4950

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