Prof Dr Shrestha lauds timely intervention of Nepal govt to control COVID-19

Kathmandu - Senior cardiac surgeon Prof Dr Makhal Lal Shrestha has said timely intervention of Nepal government with lockdown helped prevent precarious situation in Nepal. Prof Dr Shrestha who has been working at Hannover Medical School of Germany for 25 years further said if Nepal was able to hold those people entering the country via India in quarantines, it could slow infection rate.

Talking to executive editor of the National News Agency (RSS), Krishna Adhikari, Shrestha suggested the government to intensify PCR tests because RDT can not identify the virus. "Although the government had formed a high level coordination committee under Deputy Prime Minister for prevention and control of COVID-19, the works for containing the virus must be carried out as per the suggestion of virologists and epidemiologists," he underscored.

According to him, as the disease is not only specific to any country but spread across the globe, coordination and cooperation among individual, family, community and government is imperative to prevent and control the spread of deadly virus. "In the countries like Nepal where socio economic aspects are also affected badly, more sensitivity is essential," he emphasized. Prof Dr Shrestha also observed that many people were still ignoring proper use of mask, sanitizer and hand washing.

Similarly, the lockdown though relaxed at present was not properly utilized because health care was neglected. He reminded the effective lockdown order imposed by Chinese government in Wuhan to contain the virus immediately after it emerged. But other countries as Italy, Spain and the US missed the initial days of preparedness and precaution resulting in huge loss of lives, he stated. Prof Dr Shresha also shared that German Chancellor, who is herself a scientist, takes suggestions from the committee of scientists and specialists on epidemiology, which has helped slow the spread.