Deuba seeks better management practices at the vaccination centres to ensure vaccines to all
KATHMANDU, JULY 19
Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and US Ambassador to Nepal Randy Berry have jointly inaugurated and supervised the inoculation campaign of Johnson and Johnson vaccine which began today.
PM Deuba and Ambassador Berry handed over the vaccine to health workers at Jorpati-based Khagendra Nawajeevan Centre. Later, the duo visited Maharajgunj-based Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, a vaccination centre at Samakhusi and Kupandol.
During the inspection, PM Deuba sought better management practices at the vaccination centres so that social distancing protocols are followed and no one left out of the vaccination campaign.
Deuba has taken upon himself the responsibility of the health ministry citing the efforts being made to improve vaccination drives in the country. He has also directed health authorities to increase the number of vaccination centres in the country.
A shipment of 1.5 million doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccine donated by the United States arrived in Nepal on July 12 at a time when the country was facing acute shortage of anti-Covid jabs.
The J&J vaccine is provided to Nepal under the COVAX facility, a global initiative backed by the United Nations for equitable distribution of COV- ID-19 jabs throughout the world. The vaccine is the third to be approved for inoculation in the country after Covishield (AstraZeneca) and Vero Cell, which brought a big respite to the country. Unlike other vaccines that require two shots, the J&J vaccine is effective with a single shot.
On July 13, Kathmandu Metropolitan City had published the names of centres designated for administering the shots of Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccines can be received free of cost at 18 vaccination centres for people aged between 50 and 54 years, people with disabilities, refugees in Nepal and sanitation staff.
The vaccination centres for Johnsson and Johnson jabs include Bir Hospital, TUTH, Civil Hospital, Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, and HAMS Hospital, among others.
Other designated vaccination booths in Kathmandu are Paropakar Maternity and Women's Hospital, Thapathali; Kathmandu Medical College, Sinamangal; Nepal Police Hospital, Maharajgunj; Birendra Military Hospital, Chhauni; People's Dental and General Hospital, Sorhakhutte; Himal Hospital, Gyaneshwor; Om Hospital and Research Centre, Chabahil; Chettrapati Free Clinic; Janamaitri Hospital, Balaju; Manmohan Hospital, Swoyambhu; Kathmandu Model Hospital, Exhibition Road; Sahid Gangalal Hospital, Bansbari; National Hospital, Kalanki; Ramghat Primary Health Centre; Kantipur Hospital, Tinkune; Radha Swami Isolation Centre, Samakhushi; and Stupa Hospital, Boudha.
A version of this article appears in the print on July 20 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
