UN, WHO Resident Representatives call on DPM Pokhrel

Kathmandu - United Nations Resident Coordinator for Nepal, Valerie Julliand and Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr Jos Vandelaer called n Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Ishwor Pokhrel, at the latter's office in Singhadurbar on Tuesday. DPM Pokhrel is also the coordinator of the High-Level Committee on Prevention and Control of COVID-19 formed by the government.

During the meeting, DPM Pokhrel said the government has adopted high alertness to prevent the spread of coronavirus in Nepal and has been working with utmost seriousness by forming committees at various levels on this topic. Expressing gratitude for the appreciating the works carried out by the government and for providing suggestions related to this matter, he informed the UN officials regarding the several measures adopted by the government including the lockdown, the restriction at the border, tests for coronavirus being carried out in various provinces, the status of the tests and management of specific hospitals for treatment of COVID-19.

The DPM said success has been achieved so far in containing the coronavirus pandemic in the country because people coming from abroad and people suspected of carrying the coronavirus have been kept in quarantine. He added that the government has been forging coordination with the State and local governments as well for making proper arrangements for the supply of essential goods and services to the people and to prevent the shortage during the lockdown.

"The government has been making utmost efforts for the prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic through coordination at various levels despite the limited resources at its disposal and permission is given to airlines companies transporting a range of goods including the humanitarian assistance in Nepal after fulfilling the required process," the High-Level Committee Coordinator said. He shared on the occasion that arrangements have been made for the prompt and prioritised customs checking of supplies like medicine and medical logistics received as humanitarian assistance.

The DPM made it clear that necessary facilitation could be made regarding the industries related to agriculture production, small and medium-scale enterprises, hydropower projects and others by keeping them in priority for the time-being. The UN and WHO officials applauded the various measures adopted by the government regarding containment of COVID-19 in the country. They suggested adopting appropriate measures to remove disruption in the teaching-learning of children in the lockdown period as well as the need to follow more strictly measures like maintaining the physical and social distancing.