Kavre (Pahichan) March 27 – In order to prevent the possible escalation of Coronavirus (Covid-19), government has come up with a strict measure of complete lock down, restricting the movement of people. The government’s measure has gathered the support from various walks of life, even opposition parties are supporting this move.

The basic principle of lockdown is that it helps to prevent the spread of virus, and many countries in the world including United Kingdom and India have chosen this path. Neighboring country India has gone for 21-day lockdown and there are high chances that Nepal could also extend the current one week duration. However, it is not the model adopted by all countries, South Korea, Japan and other countries have controlled the spread of virus without imposing lockdown.

There can be discussions about the necessity and relevance of lockdown but right now we do not have any other viable options. It is because our government is not in position of undertaking a massive tests of suspected people liked South Korea and Japan did. The poor preparations of government forced us to go for lockdown because it is the only option with us. It has been more than three months since the outbreak of Covid-19 in China but out government failed to bring even the basic needs such as test kit, PPE and other needs. With the lockdown, there are concerns about the daily-wage workers who are left without any jobs.  Government is yet to introduce any relief-package targeting the working class. If government extends the duration of lockdown, it should seriously think about the plights of working class. At the same time, there are also concerns about the health-care system.

Lockdown is okay but key question at this time is: how to ensure the people’s right to health? No one can guess when people can get sick or the condition of people who are already sick may turn worse. They need immediate treatment so our health system should be ready round the clock. However, due to the fear of Coronavirus, many hospitals and clinic are closed and there are also cases that hospitals are reluctant to check the patient with high fever. Our constitution has ensured the right to health as fundamental right of people and government shoulders the responsibility of fulfilling this duty.

On the first day of lockdown, after completing my duties at office, I embarked a journey of my hometown Kavre. As a journalist, it was not very difficult for me to convince the security forces. I encountered the checking post of security forces at the several places and it was able to convince about my job. After arriving home, I am conducting my duty from my own home because at the time of crisis, it is not necessary that you have to confine yourself at a specific areas. If you technology, you can perform your duty from wherever you want and that is what I am doing these.

To ensure the basic health facilities, we should be cooperative. If there are any sick people in our community, we should provide support to them. Similarly, senior citizens who are living in our village may suffer from various illness and we have to take care of their health conditions. The health posts which are in villages level should remain open and they must reach out to the people in their surroundings.  All health workers should get the personal protection equipment so that they can perform their duty without any fear and hesitations.

Few days ago, when I reached at Pipalchaur Integrated Human Settlement, Mohan Das Shrestha who is the operator of Integrated Consumer Committee was busy in his works. He was saying that works related to construction would not stop. Two daughters Kusum and Subasana became sick. He first enquired the army barrack in Bhakunde whether there is health desk and he was suggested to go to Methinkot health post. In the KP medical, patients were kept outside the clinic and fever check was conducted. The staffs in the medical suggested to remain outside the clinic stating that they need to adopt security measures. Proprietor of Medical Krishna Timalsena said, they are forced to provide services without wearing PPE.

 Before the lockdown, there was talk about a people who came from abroad. He said there was a test of Coronavirus and result was negative. Local people, however, want to send him to quarantine. The Namobudha Municipality should be serious about constructing the quarantine. People who have come from abroad recently should be serious about it because they can transfer the virus to other people.  In this issue, local governments should monitor seriously in order to find out the health condition of those people.

Translate by journalist Kamal dev Bhattarai