Malaria drug study

Kathmandu: Experts during a workshop on national malaria treatment protocol that was held on Friday, stressed the need for a comprehensive malaria drug efficacy study at various levels. "The international development partners have been encouraging us to switch on to alternative drug regimen which is necessary," said Dr Mahendra Bahadur Bista, director of Epidemiology and Disease Control Division. — HNS

Casino raided

KATHMANDU: The crime investigation branch of the valley police has arrested seven persons who were found gambling at the Royale Casino in Durbar Marg. "Acting upon a tip-off, the police raided the casino and arrested seven Nepalis," deputy inspector general of police, Ashok Shrestha, said. The police also confiscated Rs 65,000 and 17, 200 casino coins. — HNS

Govt may miss ILO goal

Kathmandu: Addressing an interaction Friday on elimination of child labour, secretary at the Ministry for Labour and Transport Management, Narayan Prasad Silwal, said the government is likely to miss the target of rescheduled ILO-funded time-bound programme to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. The $5.5 million time-bound programme, which was scheduled start in 2001 and end in 2005, started 18 months late due to various bureaucratic hassles. Targeted to benefit 17,000 working children involved in seven identified worst forms of child labour in 22 districts, it had benefited only 2,200 till May 2004. — HNS

Sanatan samiti meet

KATHMANDU: The sixth annual general meeting (AGM) of the Sanatan Dharma Sewa Samitti concluded on Friday with the election of a 20-member central executive committee. While Dr Hari Bhakta Neupane is the president of the committee, Dharma Raj Pandey is its general secretary. Neupane said that his team would work to revive the spiritual awareness among the people. "We will run spiritual classes to make people aware of the spiritul norms and values to better their lives." — HNS

Radiation safety seminar

Kathmandu: A two-day workshop on Medical Radiation Safety and Future Strategies commenced on Friday. Speakers at the workshop dwelt on the need for the government to acquire the membership of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), negative effects of radiation therapy and the need to form a radiation regulatory board. — HNS