KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 23
The Ministry of Health and Population organised an interaction on COVID-19 vaccination, risk communication, and community engagement with members of the National Assembly under the coordination of the National Assembly and with technical support from World Health Organisation, Country Office for Nepal, in Kathmandu, yesterday.
The lawmakers were also briefed about the MoHA's upcoming plans to conduct such programmes with elected officials in each province.
On the occasion, the MoHP highlighted the role of lawmakers in promoting vaccine uptake, increasing public adherence to health and social measures, and disseminating accurate and scientific information to their constituents.
Inaugurating the programme, chairperson of the National Assembly Ganesh Prasad Timilsina said disseminating COVID-19 information was the responsibility of not only health workers but also of all the elected leaders.
"I encourage all the districts to aim to declare themselves fully-vaccinated. If not districts, I encourage the local levels to ensure full vaccination coverage and save lives," he shared.
Spokesperson of the MoHP Dr Sangita Kaushal Mishra presented the current situation of COVID-19 in the country. WHO Representative to Nepal Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav underscored the significance of leadership at all levels of society in a bid to address many facets of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also highlighted the historic resolution adopted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union in November last year to support vaccine equity and the role of lawmakers in implementing the resolution.
Senior officials from the MoHP and WHO Country Office for Nepal conducted sessions on effective risk communication and community engagement, the scientific basis behind COVID-19, national COVID-19 vaccination strategy, non-communicable diseases, and the role of elected officials in achieving nationwide COVID-19 vaccination coverage.
Vice-chairperson of the National Assembly Shashikala Dahal said that healthy lifestyle also played an important role in controlling COVID-19 along with vaccinations. He also requested all the NA members to address the specific COV- ID-19 related requirements of the provinces.
The next interaction is scheduled with Provincial Assembly members of Karnali on February 25.
A version of this article appears in the print on February 24, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
