By Birat Anupam, Itahari, May 22: Press Chautari Nepal, a journalistic organisation, has reached out to all COVID-19 infected journalists of Itahari to give them a pulse oximeter. A pulse oximeter is a handy device that can detect the oxygen level of people.    

Together with masks, sanitiser, and nutrient diet, Press Chautari has distributed pulse oximeter, informed Lilaraj Bhattarai, Central Vice-Chairperson of Press Chautari Nepal. He added, ''Out of eight infected journalists in Itahari, we have reached out to seven today. Will be going to the remaining one tomorrow.''    

According to Bhattarai, the self-isolated victims of COVID-19 cannot understand the vital information of volatile oxygen level without a pulse oximeter, and to meet these needs, this device is distributed. ''Once the victim reads this, it is easier to decide whether it is time to go to the hospital or not,'' said Bhattarai.    

Press Chautari Itahari chair Trilochan Poudyal, Provincial Council Member of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Himal Dahal went to the doorsteps of the victims to distribute the gadget. Before Itahari, Press Chautari Dharan Committee was also engaged at distributing masking and sanitizing essentials to Dharan-based journalists, informed Kedar Basnet, the Dharan chair of Press Chautari.    

In order to support journalists during the second wave of COVID-19, previously, another journalistic organization Press Union had also helped needy journalists battling the pandemic.

It had launched 'Mobile Doctor' collaborating with a doctor and nurse to give counseling to infected journalists going to their doorsteps themselves. Press Union is also active in setting up COVID Relief and Isolation Center at Itahari-10.    

''We are doing every possible thing we can do,'' said Pawan Adhikari, the chair of Press Union Sunsari.