Combat COVID on war footing
It was wonderful to learn that the Oli led government has determined to fight with the second wave of Corona-19 pandemic that has gripped the nation and been taking on human lives by using all its available resources “Oli plans to combat COVID on war footing” (THT, 4 May, Page 1). It has been pleasant news to know that the Oli government has finally awaken from its deep sleep of almost one year when the first wave of Covid-19 had badly hit the nation and the people. The government was heavily criticised by all walks of life for its poor management in timely and properly dealing with the pandemic.
Addressing the nation two days ago, PM Oli said the new building of Bir Hospital, Tri Chandra Military Hospital, medical colleges of Kathmandu and big government, and private hospitals would be operated as COVID-19 hospitals. All the medical colleges and big hospitals located at the provincial level would be converted into COVID-19 hospitals. Provisions will be made for using community hospitals, stadiums, auditoriums, party palaces, hotels, factories, and warehouses as quarantine facilities, isolation centres and holding centres. Nepali Army has been given the responsibility of setting up of 1,000-bed temporary COVID-19 hospitals in all the provinces and in Kathmandu. It is yet to be seen whether these promises would be fully materialized.
It seems that the government has learnt the lesson from its last year’s lethargic management in dealing with the pandemic. It also could be a most welcome step of the communist government if it had brought forward some concrete plan and programme for addressing the livelihood of the poor and daily wage earning people during lockdown considering examples of other countries. Let us hope the government this time will be sincere and responsible in fighting with the pandemic and saving the lives of many people rather than involving its concerned ministers in corruption scandals.

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