Rupandehi, Jan 24: Minister for Health, Population and Family Welfare of Lumbini Province Indrajit Tharu has announced to vaccinate all citizens of the province against COVID-19 until March 14.

So far, 80 and 70 percent of the population has been administered first and full dose respectively, he informed, adding that preparations were underway to vaccinate people between the 12-17 age group. The death toll among those who received the first dose has been at two percent and among those who were fully vaccinated at one percent, he said at a face-to-face programme organised today in Butwal by the Reporter’s Club, Lumbini Province.

A vaccination awareness campaign has started in coordination with local levels so as to make people especially from rural areas aware, he said.

However, on the occasion, former Health Minister of the province and main opposition CPN (UML) leader Bhoj Prasad Shrestha has accused the provincial government of not being serious about the health of its citizens.

He blamed the government failed to prevent and control the virus and effectively launch the vaccination campaign.

Similarly, the central president of the Human Rights and Peace Society, Gobinda Khanal has accused the provincial government of not being serious about preventing and controlling the infection.

Also, chairperson of the Lumbini Medical College Gopal Bahadur Pokhrel and central joint treasurer of the Nepal Public Health Association Uma Thapa complained that health workers, who have worked 24 hours against the virus, have not been encouraged.