Author: Himalaya Post

The COVID-19 vaccine, ‘Covishield’, provided by India under grant assistance has arrived in Karnali Province. The 11 thousand 780 doses of the vaccine supplied by the Federal Government has been brought to Surkhet on Monday. Earlier, the vaccines were kept in cold store in Nepalgunj. The Provincial Health Services Directorate has made preparation to administer the vaccines from Wednesday. Director at the Directorate Dr Rabin Khadka said the vaccines would be administered by making the 12 hospitals of Karnali as the vaccination centres. According to him, the vaccination would be carried out at the eight district hospitals as well as the Provincial Hospital at Birendranagar, the Mehalkuna Hospital Surkhet, Karnali Academy of Health Sciences Jumla and Chaurajahari Community Hospital Paschim Rukum as the vaccination centres. The vaccines would be transported by air from Nepalgunj to the mountainous districts of the Province, namely, Humla, Jumla, Mugu and Dolpa while it would be supplied by roadway from Surkhet to the remaining districts. Around 24 thousand doses of the vaccine has arrived in the first phase, Khadka said. The health workers, sanitation workers, security personnel deputed for managing the dead bodies of the infected persons, ambulance drivers and the women health volunteers would be vaccinated in the first phase....

Baglung– Again Lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as Elephantiasis has stood as a health challenge . Just before the start of the 12th phase of Elephantiasis prevention campaign, the disease was found in Narayanthan of Balewa and Kushisera of Jaimini of the district. The disease was believed to have been prevented in 6 years of campaign. But a sample test carried out recently for the prevention campaign found eight people carrying the infection, according to Health Office, Baglung. Eight people in Naransthan and two people in Jaimi were found carrying the disease that leads to enlargement of limbs and body parts due to tissue swelling. Three of the people in Naransthan have experienced a reoccurrence of the tropical disease. Tests for Elephantiasis bacteria were carried out in 300 people in Narayansthan and 300 in Kushmisera. Even though the campaign to wipe of Elephantiasis from Nepal is in the final phase, it has not been possible in seven districts of Nepal including Baglung, said Saroj Adhikari, Supervisor at the Infectious Disease Research and Training Centre, Hetauda. ‘Anti-elephantiasis drug is administered regularly for five years, and if the bacteria is not traced after five years, the campaign is deemed successful along with administration of the sixth and final dose,’ he state. As a result, the campaign has to be extended by two more years in Baglung....