COVID 19 and Nepal: Identification of Critical Public Health Measures

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is unfolding at an unprecedented pace. The unprecedented threat providesan opportunity to emerge with robust health systems. Nepal has implemented several containmentmeasures such as Rapid Response Team formulation; testing; isolation; quarantine; contact tracing;surveillance, establishment of COVID-19 Crisis Management Centre and designation of dedicatedhospitals to gear up for the pandemic. The national public health emergency managementmechanisms need further strengthening with the proactive engagement of relevant ministries; weneed a strong, real-time national surveillance system and capacity building of a critical mass of healthcare workers; there is a need to further assess infection prevention and control capacity; expandthe network of virus diagnostic laboratories in the private sector with adequate surge capacity;implement participatory community engagement interventions and plan for a phased lockdownexit strategy enabling sustainable suppression of transmission at low-level and enabling in resumingsome parts of economic and social life.