KATHMANDU: A study conducted by the Nepal Health Research Council has shown that public health standards and protocols are not effectively followed in the Kathmandu Valley.
A team of 39 health workers observed 4,502 people in the vegetable markets, banks and financial institutions, land revenue offices, public transport offices, temples and other public places for two days.
It was found out that only 72.1 percent wore masks while 27.9 percent were seen without masks. Among those wearing masks, 15.8 percent wore cloth masks.
Out of the 2,703 people wearing masks, only 72.66 percent wore masks properly. General Secretary at the Council, Dr Pradip Gyawali said that the number of people wearing masks under the nose or chin, hanging the mask around the neck, hanging it on the hands or pressing the hard part of the mask in the shape of the nose was found to be 27.34.
Meanwhile, social distancing has been maintained only in a few places.
Even in places marked for social distancing, only 31.25 percent of the places have been found to have maintained physical distance.
Similarly, soap, water and sanitizer were not available in 40 percent places, Gyawali said.
Private and government hospitals were found to be marked for physical distance at OPD, pharmacies and ticket counters.
However, people were not found to be following the protocol in the hospital canteens. Only 20 percent of the hospitals had maintained physical distance.
Similarly, among the 30 public vehicles, less than 50 percent of them were found to have complied with the protocol of seating arrangements.
Announcing the findings of the study report, Dr Gyawali said, “The public health standard ‘SMS’ has not been followed effectively by the people.”
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