Health Ministry Prepares for Monsoon Health Issues with Rapid Response Teams

Kathmandu. With only three weeks left for the monsoon to begin, the Ministry of Health has stated that rapid response teams with trained doctors and health workers have been kept ready in all local levels across the country to prevent monsoon-related health problems.

Such information was provided by Dr. Samir Kumar Adhikari, Assistant Spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene.

According to him, the ministry has formulated a special action plan in coordination with federal, provincial, and local level bodies to face monsoon-related disasters and the health problems that may arise from them. He stated that the action plan has already entered the implementation phase. He mentioned that due to rising temperatures, humidity, and continuous rainfall, there is a high possibility of various types of infectious diseases spreading, and the government is prepared to respond to them. He added that during the monsoon, drinking water sources can become contaminated, floodwaters can mix with drinking water sources, and sanitation management can be affected, making health challenges more complex.

He stated that considering these risks, a monsoon preparedness action plan has been implemented at the national level in collaboration with concerned bodies.

He mentioned that the ministry has given special priority to the management of necessary medicines, health supplies, and other emergency equipment, keeping in mind monsoon-related health problems. He stated that the government has also prioritized public awareness campaigns for disease control and prevention during the monsoon. He also said that programs are being conducted in coordination with local levels to make citizens aware of personal hygiene, family and community sanitation, safe food storage, use of clean drinking water, and environmental sanitation.

He said, "We are on the verge of the monsoon becoming active. It is raining. The temperature is also rising. As humidity increases, there are risks of food poisoning from our food spoiling. From a public health perspective, considering problems caused by waterborne infections, vector-borne infections, and problems caused by temperature, the Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene, in coordination with other bodies working on disaster management, has prepared a national monsoon preparedness action plan. All government bodies are involved in this. Furthermore, as the monsoon is approaching, if citizens themselves do not maintain personal and environmental cleanliness, the risk of infection and disease will be high, so we urge all citizens to pay special attention to sanitation."

Assistant Spokesperson Adhikari urged citizens to drink only boiled or purified water, not to eat stale or unsafe food, to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consumption, and to contact the nearest health facility immediately if any health problems arise.