Minister Dhakal calls for cooperation from private sector against COVID-19

Kathmandu - Minister for Health and Population Bhanubhakta Dhakal has said the private sector should step in for the government’s fight against COVID-19. He said so while receiving medical appliances provided by Norvic International Hospital and Basanta Chaudhary Foundation at the office of Ministry of Health and Population in Kathmandu today. On the occasion, Minister Dhakal shared that the government and non-government sectors were lending support to the government from their respective sector to help contain the outbreak of the deadly infection.

As per the WHO data, coronavirus has so far claimed lives of over 69,450 people and infected more than 1.2 million people in more than 177 countries across the world due to COVID-19 that was first reported in Wuhan of China on December last year. “We all fight against this pandemic in unison,” the Minister said. Furthermore, Dhakal said the government has extended the scope of campaign against COVID-19 from today. He explained, “We have forwarded the medical treatment process keeping in mind the safety and security of the frontline health workers and security personnel.” Second phase of coronavirus crisis has started as a local transmission has broken out in Kailali district, according to him.

On the occasion, representative of Norvic International Hospital and Chaudhary Foundation handed medical appliances worth Rs 6 million to the Ministry. The donated medical appliances include 2,000 pieces of 3M N95 facemasks, 48,000 pieces of surgical facemasks and 1,000 medical complete sets and gloves, face shield, disposable caps and gowns, among others. The Foundation said it would provide 20 percent discount on treatment of patients under medication at the hospital until April 12.

Arrangements have been made to provide free of cost treatment to poorest patients receiving care at clinics and isolation wards, according to the Hospital. The Foundation has also donated Rs 5 million to the fund set up by the government to prevent and control coronavirus.

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