By Sharmila Pathak, Kathmandu, May 22: The Kathmandu Metropolis has prompted action for the treatment of COVID-19.

The local government has ensured medical and human resources assistance required for the handling of COVID-19 cases when the cases are surging in the central capital.

The Naradevi Ayurvedic Hospital on Friday, with the support of the metropolis, launched a 50-bed isolation facility equipped with the oxygen supply system.    

The local government and hospital on May 10 agreed on the operation of the facility. The 118 bedded hospital has managed 24 HDU beds and 25 isolation beds for the COVID-19 cases.

Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya said the local government had shifted its focus on saving the life during the pandemic by giving a halt to development endeavors. “Investment in the health sector has been increased,” he said.    

Seven consultants (Ayurved science), two consultants ( medical science) and three Ayurved doctors, four medical officers, 22 nursing staff, two physiotherapists, and 15 Ayurved health workers are there to work for the isolation facility. Likewise, five are for the account section and 25 are cleaning and assistant workers.    

Similarly, Radhaswami Covid Isolation and Oxygen Therapy Center, has come into operation at Samakhusi since Friday. The center was established as per the decision of the Council of Ministers on October 30, 2020.    

It has 88 oxygen-supported beds and 96 general beds and the center plans to convert the general beds into oxygen beds on a need basis. The metropolis has financially assisted the center. The Metropolitan City has been providing medical equipment used to treat Covid-19 patients to other 11 hospitals after reaching an agreement with them.    

The metropolis has to provide swab tests for the infection from 16 places in the district, said Hari Kunwar, chief of the Health Division under the metropolis. Six hundred Covid-19 tests have been carried out at all 32 wards on a daily basis and of them, 420 infection cases have been reported, said the metropolis.    

“Now Covid-19 tests have been expedited,” said lab technician at the metropolis, Radhika Kuinkel.

The metropolis also provides free ambulance service to carry patients including Covid-19 ones to the hospital. People in need can avail of the service from seven places in the district. In this regard, they can contact at hotline number, 1180 for inquire.