KATHMANDU, May 3: Civil society leaders have expressed grave disappointment over lack of government’s proactive action to control and manage the COVID situation and defaulting into lockdown as the last resort.
In a civic appeal issued jointly by 89 civil society leaders, they have asked provisions to be made to utilize the health equipment and human resources available in the private and community hospitals for the services to those affected by the virus. “The increase in the infection rates have spiked up the use of ICU facilities. We demand for additional management of the ICU facilities across the country,” read the appeal.
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They have requested the government to seek help from friendly countries and donor agencies for the immediate arrangement of essential health equipment and materials. “We ask that quarantine facilities and isolation centers be made disabled and gender friendly and that infected women, pregnant women, single women, children, persons with disabilities, chronic patients, senior citizens, sexual minorities (LGBTQIA) be prioritized in treatment,” stated the appeal.
The civil society leaders have asked to make public all the expenditures made for COVID prevention and control by all three tiers of the government. They have also demanded relief programs and budget management for the laborers, the poor, marginalized communities and affected businesses that are severely impacted by the lockdown.
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