Considering the possibility of third wave of COVID 19 pandemic in the near future, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has called upon the countries of the South-East Asia Region to scale-up and implement the public health and social measures rigorously, and boost the accelerated vaccine rollout in a bid to prevent another surge of COVID-19 as more countries have confirmed the prevalence of highly transmissible variants. Nepal is among 11 countries in this region “Implement public health measures rigorously” (THT, June 21. Page 2)
More efforts are needed in the coming days to test, trace and isolate the people depending on the seriousness of third wave of the COVID-19 variant which is said to be more dangerous. Societal interventions such as physical distancing, hand washing and proper use of masks need to be stringently implemented. These measures should be in full force and for longer periods in the areas where more transmissible variants of concern are reported.
The government has confirmed the detection of a new mutation of the Delta variant in Nepal “Health ministry confirms detection of new mutation of Delta variant in Nepal” (THT, June 21, Page 2). Having said this, is our government appropriately prepared for this probable scary situation? Has our government updated its poorly managed health delivery system for handling another dreadful pandemic? It is sad to say that most of the senior citizens, who had received first doze of COVID-19 vaccines three months ago, have not been given second doze due to the sluggish management of the government.
Still, let us hope that the government has learned lessons from its poor management of health delivery during the first and second waves of COVID-19 pandemic and will act responsibly to save the lives of its citizens from the possible threat of the third wave of the pandemic in the near future.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj
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