Kathmandu, Apr 3
Minister for Finance and Communication and Information
Technology Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada Friday said that prevention of coronavirus
was the duty of all, not only of the government.
“This crisis should be tackled with common efforts from all
people and institutions, therefore, we all must play our role responsibly,” he
said while speaking at a discussion with the former vice-chairmen of the
National Planning Commission and health experts.
The discussion was focused on the government steps taken to
prevent the COVID-19 outbreak and its impact on the national economy.
Dr. Khatiwada said that the government had given priority to
preventing the virus infection and providing relief to the needy people. These
works are being implemented in close communication and coordination with the
political parties, governments of sub-national levels and private sector.
According to him, timely steps taken by the government have
helped in containing the spread of virus and the international community has appreciated
the efforts. “Presence of the representatives
at the local levels has facilitated in risk reduction. At the same time, the
local bodies have been involved in the prevention of the disease and
distribution of relief materials in an active and responsible way,” said
Khatiwada.
He reiterated that the international borders were closed in
order to reduce the further risk of virus spread, and the talks with India were
held at the diplomatic level to keep Nepali and Indian citizens wherever they
were in any of the two countries.
“Staying where you are is the best way to stop the virus
from further spreading,” said Dr. Khatiwada. “We are analysing the measures
applied by other countries in the prevention and treatment of coronavirus
infection and will find the ways that Nepal should adopt in the future.”
A study committee will be formed to assess the impact of
COVID-19 on the national economy and find out the ways to stir up the economy.
Former vice president of the NPC Dr. Min Bahadur Shrestha
said that the timely steps and decisions made by the government had saved the
people from the pandemic.
Experts suggested that the government must design programmes
to create employment in the country and focus on timely distribution of relief
to the daily wage earners, deprived and disabled people.
They also said that the social security should be given
priority and confidence of security personnel, health workers, civil servants
and people’s representatives should be increased.
Further suggestions included the priority to the health,
education and agriculture in the budget of the next fiscal year, policy of
economy in expending and transparency in public procurement.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 4 April 2020.
No comments:
Post a Comment