Friday, April 10, 2020

Coronavirus prevention duty of all: Dr. Khatiwada


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. 

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