Kathmandu, June 21 :
President Bidya Devi Bhandari has acquired information from the Ministry of Health and Population regarding works being carried out in connection with the prevention and control of COVID-19.
The President called the Ministry officials including the Health Minister Sher Bahadur Tamang to the Rashtrapati Bhawan, Shital Niwas, and took information on the present status of the coronavirus infection and the vaccinations programme against it, its proper management, prevention and the preparations being made for the management of the overall health system, Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari, Joint Spokesperson at the Ministry, said.
On the occasion, the Head-of-State said the works being done regarding the COVID-19 should be made more effective and systematic, and that the vaccination campaign should be conducted on priority basis for saving the life of the Nepali people.
She urged the Ministry to carry out works preparing a response plan for minimising the possible risk from the COVID-19 in the coming days, suggesting the government to upgrade and strengthen the health institutions, to reach quality health services to the general public and to upscale investment in the alternative medicine and naturopathy, as the health service is the responsibility of the state.
Likewise, the President underlined the need of increasing multi-sector cooperation and collaboration as well as of emphasising on research in collaboration with universities.
She also stressed on making appropriate health services for children by improving the services at Kanti Children’s Hospital and on rendering the services of the private and community hospitals affordable and accessible.

On the occasion, President Bhandari commended the doctors, nurses and health staff for their role in the prevention and control of COVID-19.