The government is now better equipped to deal with the possible outbreak of coronavirus in the country and it has focused its attention to establish diagnostic facilities in all the States. The Dharan based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in eastern Nepal launched corona testing service on Sunday. Necessary medical equipment and accessories have arrived from China which include rapid diagnostic kits, personal protective equipment, non-contact infrared thermometres, ear thermometres, portable ventilator, N95 masks, surgical masks, protective goggles, gloves and chloroquine phosphate tablets. These equipment are essential to conduct virus tests, give protection to health workers involved as well as provide life support to patients in critical conditions. This Chinese support is a gesture of true friendship and close bond that are of high value during the time of need. Nepal is always grateful for the Chinese support during the southern blockade, Gurkha earthquake and now, when the new coronavirus has been spreading in global pandemic scale. With these equipment installation, virus testing service will not be limited in Kathmandu.
Conducting virus tests on people suspected of infection is very important to battle an outbreak. This not only helps to find the infection but also trace the route of virus dissemination when an infected person may have come into direct contact with other people. So far, only a few people have been tested positive for coronavirus in Nepal and all of them are found to have flown in from abroad. All of those who flew in the same plane are being tracked, tested and quarantined to block the further path of infection. Some of such persons are outside the Kathmandu Valley. For instance, a girl who flew in from Europe had travelled to Baglung in west Nepal and was living with her family until she developed symptoms and was tested positive for coronavirus. So far, as the testing facility was limited in the capital alone, collecting samples from outlying stations, transporting them to Kathmandu and conducting a test involved a lengthy process. This process will be shortened considerably now because each State is going to have its own diagnostic facilities. Rapid testing is very important to halt the cycle of virus transmission. As concerned health workers are equally vulnerable to infection, the use of foolproof protective gears is crucial.
The crucial virus testing medical equipment that have arrived from China are being taken to medical facilities outside Kathmandu. They will be well equipped for diagnostic works which will speed up the pace of identifying infection. The testing equipment will be used in laboratories in medical facilities in Biratnagar, Janakpur, Hetauda, Butwal, Nepalgunj, Surkhet and Dhangadhi. So far Nepal has conducted virus tests on 917 persons out of which five have been tested positive. The pace of testing was far from smooth in absence of adequate testing kits. Now that Nepal’s friendly neighbour China has supported us with test kits and protective gears, we are better equipped in the fight against the virus disease. On Sunday, Minister for Health and Population Bhanubhakta Dhakal also launched a website and mobile app to keep everybody updated on coronavirus related information. The Health Ministry’s website: covid19.mohp.gov.np and ‘Hamro Swasthya’ mobile app are already in operation.