By TRN Online, Kathmandu, Mar, 15: The SAARC video conference is being held today to discuss aboout the global threat of Coronavirs (COVID-19).

Highlighting the efforts taken by them in national level, all the member states called for each others' coordination and collaboration in preventing and curing the pandemic. 

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli also took part in the video conference.

PM Oli joined the video conference from Action Room, based at the office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Singhadurbar.

Speaking in the video conference, PM Oli thanked PM Modi for taking the important and timely initiative.

“Nepal, until now has experienced only one confirmed case of COVID-19, which has already been cured,” said PM Oli. “Nepal has remained alert by taking several preventive measures to combat the pandemic.”

Efforts in national and personal level are being taken nationwide to prevent the fallout of the virus in Nepal.

PM Oli sad that multi-agency coordination committees were set up in the central, provincial and local level governments to expand the government’s initiative for combating the virus.

PM Oli also mentioned the measures taken by the Nepal government to prevent the break out of pandemic viz. suspension of issuance of work permit for Nepali workers in foreign land, health screening of international passengers at the airport itself, provision of self-quarantine and enhancement of quarantine and isolation wards hospitals of all provinces, by providing them with necessary incentives.

PM Oli further highlighted that the permission of mountaineering expeditions were suspended and all the international conferences scheduled to be held in Nepal were postponed.

The video conference was held after the SAARC members states agreed to battle with the pandemic in close coordination with each other.  

Oli also thanked everyone for wishing him for his speedy recovery and good health.

Discussion through video conference was proposed by Indian PM Narendra Modi to discuss the joint strategy to fight the coronavirus outbreak.

Likewise, Lotay Tshering, Prime Minister of Bhutan said, “To battle the pandemic is an uphill task as our enemy isn’t visible. The virus is challenging the entire globe without any geographical boundaries.”

Tshering said that the aftermath of the pandemic was likely to affect the vulnerable economies of the world.

“I propose to share all limited resources and technologies that we have to face the pandemic along with holding more video conferences,” he said. “I also look forward to coordinate with all the member state to overcome the economic threat that we are likely to face aftermath.”

Along with Tshering, all the representatives of the SAARC member states proposed to coordinate with each other and to share the resources, experts and experiences, in line with the guidelines provided by the World Health Organization (WHO).

This was the first meeting of the SAARC member states after the 2014 summit held in Nepal’s Kathmandu.

Full text of the PM's speech 

Rt. Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji
Distinguished Heads of State and Government of SAARC Member States
Namaste and Good Afternoon !

First of all, I would like to thank Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji for taking this important and timely initiative, which I warmly welcome. Our collective wisdom and efforts will help us devise a sound and robust strategy for the SAARC region as we fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

(I wish to thank Prime Minister Modiji and all the distinguished leaders of SAARC member states for your kind words and best wishes on my speedy recovery.)

Even though we had detected one suspected imported case but the COVID-19 test proved negative. Yet we are aware of the high risk of potential outbreak at any time. We remain alert for preventing it.

We have taken several measures to enhance our preparedness. Our efforts at the moment are geared towards preventing this disease to enter into our country.

Our national efforts

I am personally overseeing and guiding the Government efforts. Multi-agency coordination committees have been set up at the center, provinces and local levels to mobilize government efforts in a synergetic manner.

We have restricted international movements. Visa on-arrival facility for all foreigners and Non-resident Nepalis with foreign passports has been suspended. Movement of third country nationals via land routes has been suspended.

Swab test PCR health certificate is made mandatory to obtain visa from Nepali missions abroad for essential travels to Nepal.

We have suspended issuance of work permits for Nepali nationals for overseas employment.

International passengers are required to go through the screening process at the health desk at the international airport. There are provisions for- self quarantine for certain categories of travelers. We are strengthening quarantine facilities in all provinces. Hospitals have arranged isolation wards and intensive wards for treatment.

We are enhancing capacity of hospitals. Health workers are being provided with personal protective equipment and necessary incentives to motivate them.

All the permits for mountaineering expeditions for Spring 2020 have been suspended and all major international conferences have been postponed.

Best Practices and Way Forward

Our region is at high risk of COVID-19. The epidemic knows no boundary, no nationality, and no region; therefore, we need to devise ways to combat this pandemic collectively. It is a common challenge; and it demands common efforts.

First thing is awareness creation. Community-based organizations and medical and non-medical volunteers could be mobilized in raising awareness and supporting Government agencies.

We have to appeal to our people to avoid non-essential foreign travels and to avoid attending mass-gatherings and other large scale events.

Our region is rich in traditional medicine. We have to encourage our people to use this asset for the prevention and treatment of this disease.

Our way of greetings people with Namaste, rather than shaking hands, can avoid potential threat of human-to-human transmission of the virus.

I believe that our region holds a good stock of emergency medical supplies, well-trained medical professionals and laboratory facilities. These could be deployed at the call from any Member State of SAARC in urgent need.

The hospitals in the bordering areas could also be utilized for the screening as well as treating infected patients if coming from across the borders.

We may encourage hospitals, medical centers, research institutions and health workers in the region to build a good network for sharing experiences, research findings and best practices in critical areas associated with the prevention and treatment of this deadly disease.

We need to ensure smooth supply of essential medicine, equipment and sanitary materials in the region.

We may think of developing a SAARC-level mechanism to deal with critical health issues such as this. Establishment of a SAARC emergency medical center supported by strong funding mechanism would be desirable. In this regard I welcom modiji ‘s proposal and Indias contribution. nepal will join this fund soon.

The economic cost of this pandemic is yet to be assessed. I am sure it is going to cost all of us dearly if it prolongs. Regional discussion on reviving our economies and supporting each other through providing easy access, establishing value chains and promoting intra-regional trade, investment, tourism and connectivity would be critically important.

Thank once again Prime Minister Shri Modi ji for taking this great initiative.