KATHMANDU: Minster for Health and Population Bhanubhakta Dhakal has claimed that Nepal is ahead of neighboring countries in terms of the coverage of COVID-19 tests through PCR procedure.
Responding to the queries in the deliberations at the National Assembly today, Minister Dhakal said PCR testing was being carried out among 5,146 in every one million population in Nepal.
Nepal is fairly ahead of the countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Japan in respect to the test coverage, he added.
India is undertaking PCR testing among 4,411 in every one million population followed by 4,308 in Pakistan, 4,204 in Sri Lanka and 2,724 in Japan.
The ministry informed that preparation is underway to perform PCR tests on 10,000 people every day from all seven states from June 15 by importing machines.
Presently PCR testing is being carried out from different 22 laboratories in Nepal.
He also ruled out any irregularities in the procurement of medical supplies and added that the parliamentary committee and anti-graft commission can investigate into the procurement case if any suspects.
The minister also said action would be taken against the guilty of the incident of rape against a woman in quarantine at Lamkichuha municipality-1.
He also said that other ministries’ budget would be diverted to respond to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic when needed.
He informed the House that there was a plan to construct 300 hospitals at the federal level and 50-bed infectious disease treatment hospital in all seven states in the upcoming fiscal year.
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