KATHMANDU: The Education and Health Committee under the House of Representatives has urged the government to be further serious and prevent spread of coronavirus.

The Committee members expressed grave concern over non-implementation of health protocols from the government side itself in terms of containing fast spreading virus in the recent days.

At the Committee meeting held at Singha Durbar on Wednesday, coordinator Jivan Ram Shrestha said, “Coronavirus was fast spreading because the agencies to make aware on health protocol implementation themselves were unaware. Past mistakes should be corrected this time to prevent further damage.” Even the basic amenities were inadequate at hospital. Government must ensure arrangement for treatment to the infected ones. Another member Anjana Bisankhe complained that the private-run hospitals were fleecing people. “There is stark shortage of human resources.

Government must address it on time. More serious days are coming,” she stressed. Member Sarita Neupane stressed that government needs to augment incentives to the medical and health workers involved in the treatment of infected persons. Another area to ease is the procurement of medicine.

On the occasion, chief specialist at Ministry of Health and Population, Dr Roshan Pokhrel, said the infection rate was high in the recent two weeks. The situation is worsening in Nepal after the virus engulfed India.

Thirteen health examination centres were created at Nepal-India border, he added, saying, a total of 4,000 isolation beds were readied throughout the country.

He warned that lockdown can be imposed at any time in view of the seriousness. Process has been initiated to import necessary oxygen, Dr Pokhrel informed.