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This month, AMDA Headquarters has been conducting a survey targeting AMDA chapters in assessing the COVID-19 situation in each country. The results will be shared on this webpage from time to time.
- Date: 1 September 2020
- Name of chapter: AMDA Nepal
- Total cases in your country (until 1 September 2020): 39,460
- Active cases (as of 1 September 2020):17,822
- Number of deaths:228
- Number of patients recovered:21,410
Lockdowns, restrictions and other measures by the government:
The Nepal government had partially lifted the lockdown 120 days after it was first enforced on March 24 to contain the spread of COVID-19. Amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the Kathmandu Valley, on August 18, the local administration has issued a curfew order to restrict the movement of people in the three districts of the Kathmandu Valley in order to contain the possible spread of COVID-19. The curfew shall be lifted on September 3, unless decided otherwise. Movement of people and vehicles except those on emergency duty (ambulance, four-wheelers of security agencies and transportation and delivery services related to drugs and medical supplies, drinking water, milk, foodstuff and vegetables, cooking gas and garbage), gatherings, meetings, religious assemblies and social activities are banned. The ban is also applicable to public transport. Similarly, the local administrations of other districts have also issued curfew/lockdown orders in the other parts of the country based on the COVID 19 cases.
How is your country’s medical system responding? :
However, the visits to health care centres are declining due to lockdowns, curfews and transport disruptions and as communities remain fearful of infection, overall response of the medical system in Nepal is not satisfactory/adequate. There is a short supply of testing kits/facilities, protective measures and emergency preparedness. Very limited beds are prepared for COVID 19 cases. Number of COVID 19 positive cases are kept in home/self-isolation. A large number of hospitals are not accepting COVID 19 suspected cases. Only limited number of health centres are equipped with lab test capabilities.
Many studies show the poor preparedness of the health system of Nepal on COVID-19 response. Specifically, the lack of human resources, inadequate logistic chain management and laboratory facilities for testing COVID-19 appeared to have jeopardized the health system preparedness and escalated the pandemic in Nepal. Despite the poor preparedness, and health and safety concerns, the frontline workers including healthcare workers are maintaining their motivation.
Your chapter’s activities against COVID-19 (including future plans):
First priority and challenge for AMDA Nepal is to keep around 500 health workers (staff) safe and continue providing medical services. All of our services are resumed/continued except Shimazu Dental Clinic in Kathmandu. AMDA Nepal is working closely with the local authorities and delivering medical services, however, the number of service seekers are decreased due to travel bans. With the help of a different donor, AMDA is also supporting testing kits, protective clothes and essential medical supplies to local government health centres facing a short supply.
Activities against COVID 19:
- Contingency/emergency plan is promptly updated and executed based on the prevailing situations. This plan covers emergency preparedness, service delivery during emergency situations, safety of service seekers/providers, sustainability etc.
- Supporting the essential medical supplies to government/public health centres
- Public awareness through mass media (FM radio).
Future plan:
- Maintain precaution measures and keep our service-delivery sites safe.
- Conduct online/virtual classes for paramedical students.
- Maintain sustainability of regular programs (3 hospitals, 1 academic center)
- Strengthen the service delivery capacity of hospitals with the help of donors/support agencies. Install disinfection devices/equipment at the entry points of hospitals.
- Increase the number of beds in critical/intensive care units.