By Muna Hamal, Surkhet, May. 3: The Karnali Province Government has decided to provide Rs. 10 million to each district within the province for COVID-19 response.

The meeting of the provincial council of ministers of Karnali held on Monday decided to provide Rs. 10 million for each district to manage the import of oxygen needed during the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

Bimala KC, spokesperson of Karnali provincial government and Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning said that the budget would be provided immediately to overcome the problems faced by the districts for prevention and control of COVID-19.

"Similarly, Surkhet Provincial Hospital, Karnali Academy of Health Sciences and Chaurhazari Hospital in Rukum (West) would also be provided with Rs. 10 million budget and Rs. 5 million each would be provided Mehekuna Hospital, Surkhet and Dailekh Hospital," she informed.

100 beds with oxygen facility in 5 districts

Following the increasing cases of COVID-19, preparations are being done to set up 100 beds with oxygen facilities each in five districts including Kalikot, Dailekh, Jajarkot, Salyan and Rukum (West). A 50-bed well-facilitated isolation centre would be set up in other districts, the provincial government informed.

The Karnali government further informed that preparations were underway to immediately set up 500 more beds in the Provincial Hospital.