NEPALGUNJ, JUNE 27

Preparations are under way to tackle a possible third wave of coronavirus in Banke.

Health facilities in the district have started preparations for the third wave of the virus. They expect children to be the worst affected group if the third wave hits the country.

Public Health Officer Naresh Shrestha at Nepalgunj Medical College said the medical college had started preparations for the third wave of the virus. He said the medical college had closed the COVID wards and started focusing on necessary arrangements to deal with the third wave. He added that they had faced acute crisis of oxygen and beds in the second wave. 'We have been arranging more beds, oxygen supply and other medical aids taking lessons from the past,' he added.

Shrestha said the hospital had been expanding oxygen supply lines and repairing medical equipment.

Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital, Kohalpur, Deputy Director Dr Dinesh Shrestha said the second wave of coronavirus had helped in preparing for the next wave. He said the hospital had to strengthen physical infrastructure. Dr Shrestha said that the COV- ID ward had been closed and maintenance work had started from today.

Senior physician Dr Aashim Kidwai at the medical college said that equipment and manpower were the key factors for fighting the infection.

'We have to pay attention to the management of equipment and manpower,' he said.

A version of this article appears in the print on June 28 2021, of The Himalayan Times.