By Ajita Rijal

Kathmandu, Apr. 8: Minister for Health and Population Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal has conveyed high admiration to all the health and medical professionals currently in the frontline to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, for their invaluable contribution and display of extraordinary strength and passion at these difficult times.
Speaking on the occasion of World Health Day 2020 on Tuesday, Minister Dhakal said, “We will not let a situation arise for our medical professionals to work without protective equipment.”
“The government has already decided that during the time of COVID-19, all doctors and associated medical and health professionals working in all the government, non-government and private hospitals will be provided with 100 per cent additional allowances and up to Rs 2.5m worth of insurance,” said Minister Dhakal.
Likewise, the government requests and invites around 52,000 female community health volunteers (FCHVs), who continue to make invaluable contribution to improving Nepal’s’ health situation, to be part of COVID-19 awareness raising campaign, he added.
“The FCHVs who will join this campaign will be provided with additional Rs 1500 allowances as encouragement as decided by the government,” Dhakal said. “In this difficult time in order to stop the spread of COVID-19, we do not have any option but to thank those in quarantine.”
He urged everyone under quarantine to test and confirm that they do not have COVID-19, before going back home.

“Nepal has entered the second phase of COVID-19 and I request all the three levels of government and stakeholders to continue to work tirelessly as you have done so far,” said Minister Dhakal
Considering the worst case scenario of COVID-19, a total of 18 special hospitals have been established including five in Kathmandu valley and 13 beyond.
The World Health Day is marked on April 7 of each year. According to World Health Organisation, 7 April 2020 is the day to celebrate the work of nurses and midwives and remind world leaders of the critical role they play in keeping the world healthy. The tagline for this year’s World Health Day is: Support nurses and midwives.
COVID-19 update
Speaking at a regular media briefing on Tuesday, spokesperson at MoHP Dr Bikash Devkota informed that around 9,228 returnees were being quarantined across the nation as of Tuesday.
Nepal Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) has so far tested 1,890 samples of COVID-19 suspected as of Tuesday afternoon, said Dr Devkota adding sample test was being carried out at nine other places across the seven states.
According to Dr Devkota, the ministry has noticed 17 more coronavirus suspects through its website and mobile app.
“We have suspected 105 of the respondents and added them to red zone as vulnerable to COVID-19,” said Dr Devkota. “All those suspected are being traced through various means and their specimen will be collected for test,” said Dr Devkota.