By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, June 22: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has asked the Ministry of Health and Population to take lead role in managing vaccines for all at the earliest.
Instructing a team of the ministry led by Minister for Health and Population Sher Bahadur Tamang that reached the Office of the President on Monday to apprise her of the current status of COVID-19 pandemic, strategies implemented by the government for its prevention and control and matters related to the ministry, the President said vaccination was the only way to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the President’s personal press secretary Som Rai, Minister Tamang was accompanied by Secretary Laxman Prasad Aryal and Director General of the Department of Health Services Dr. Dipendra Raman Singh. After receiving information from the team of the ministry, President Bhandari underscored the need for protecting lives of the citizens, which is guaranteed as the fundamental right of the people in the Constitution.
The President said, "Health problems and needs of the citizens vary according to their age and gender. It is even more pivotal to address them during an epidemic."
Pointing out that health is a multi-dimensional issue, President Bhandari said that the ministry should work in coordination with various ministries and concerned authorities.
On the occasion, Health Minister Tamang highlighted the need for strengthening the provision of health insurance to protect the right of the citizens to get quality health care by providing health services to all.
The government has been studying the matter seriously, Minister Tamang said. He also pointed out the need for adding more beds in the hospital to provide mental health service as the pandemic has demonstrated increased psychological distress among the people.
Similarly, Secretary Aryal informed that the process of procurement of six million vaccines has already started. Similarly, Dr. Singh stressed the need for a just distribution of the vaccine against COVID-19.
He further informed that the Nepal Health Research Council was also studying the effectiveness of the vaccine.