Nepal Army readies 5,000 health workers to fight against COVID-19

KATHMANDU: The Nepal Army (NA) in cahoots with the state government is charting out a plan to reign in the risks of COVID-19.

The national army also said that it would extend necessary support to the state government to prevent risks stemming from the global pandemic of coronavirus.

In this connection, the army has advanced preparation at its division, brigade and battalion levels.

The government has already announced to provide the necessary budget to the NA for the construction of 20 intensive care units (ICUs) for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19 risks.

As part of its internal preparation, the NA has also imparted training to 181 individuals including 50 doctors on the treatment process, methods and preventive measures against the virus.

The trained human resource has set up model quarantines and hospitals in 52 places across the country including 10 in the center.

According to the NA Department of Public Relations and Information Director and Spokesperson Bigyan Dev Pandey, the NA has set up quarantine of 444 beds in three different places under its eastern division.

The NA also has prepared a roster of 5,000 health trained professionals within its organization. All these trained professionals are ready to be mobilized as per the need, NA sources said.

It is also searching for the health-trained ex-army for the purpose of mobilization against the pandemic.