By Nayak Paudel
Morang, May 19: Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC) has initiated steps to conduct around three dozen researches related to COVID-19 in Nepal.
According to the NHRC, they have chosen more than 33 research proposals related to COVID-19 which were submitted by different individuals, organisations and institutions.
Among the proposals, the NHRC itself is conducting 10 researches among which six have already been approved by the Ethical Review Board, an autonomous body which approves whether a research can be conducted or not.
“One of the researches is regarding the mental health status of the individuals in quarantine in a global context. Similarly, we are also conducting research over the preparedness and status of health facilities involved in treating patients with COVID-19 and whether they meet the standards of the guideline or not,” Dr Pradip Gyanwali, member-secretary at NHRC, told The Rising Nepal.
Gyanwali also informed that they were about to complete the research conducted among 6,000 foreign returnees regarding their situation and whom they were in contact with.
Moreover, the NHRC is also planning to conduct research over the genetic study, clinical analysis and immunological status by collecting throat swab and blood sample of individuals suffering from COVID-19. The council has formed different groups, including clinicians, microbiologists and virologists for the research.
Along with NHRC, National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL), Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD), Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Kathmandu University and BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences will be working in the research of genetic study, clinical analysis and immunological status of samples collected from the patients.
However, the ethical review board is yet to give a decision in regard to the study while they have already received permission from the Ministry of Health.
“We are also getting involved in research of ‘Vaccine and Drug Trial’ for COVID-19. The council will also undertake research regarding the possibilities of convalescent plasma transfusion from recovered COVID-19 patients for the treatment of those infected,” said Gyanwali.
Through the research, the council aims to provide the government with research-based findings to improve the government’s plans and policies towards COVID-19 prevention and control.
“We will provide the findings to the government so that they can form effective plans for the prevention and control of the pandemic,” said Gyanwali.