By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Oct. 29: Minister for Health and Population Birodh Khatiwada has said that the procured 10 million doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will arrive from the United States of America soon.
Minister Khatiwada said that preparations were being made to bring the vaccines for children aged above 12 years.

Earlier, US government had provided 120,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines. These vaccines will be provided to immunocompromised people aged above 12 years suffering from renal failure, taking dialysis treatments, taking medicines after organ transplantation, cancer patients and those suffering from lung disease.

He also assured that the government would bring vaccines for children below 12 years of age soon after they become available in China and India.
Speaking at a press conference organised by the Health Journalist Forum Nepal, Minister Khatiwada said that as the vaccines for children below 12 years of age were in trial in India and China, Nepal would procure the vaccine after their successful trial.

“We will bring the vaccines after the World Health Organisation approves them,” he said.
On the occasion, Minister Khatiwada assured that no irregularity in health sector would take place during his tenure.
“Our main priority is to vaccinate all eligible citizens against COVID-19,” he said, adding, “The government is working to provide vaccines to all, and the government assures that the vaccination campaign will not stop due to shortage of vaccines.”

Minister Khatiwada said that the ministry had asked the Ministry of Finance to provide Rs. 45 million in allowance to the health workers.
On the occasion, Minister Khatiwada said that the ministry had planned to expand free health insurance programme and that the amount for health insurance would be reduced from Rs. 3,500 to the minimum possible amount.
“I have planned to incorporate minorities and disappearing groups in health insurance programme free of cost.”