KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Health and Population has requested all hospitals facing COVID-19 patient pressure to suspend OPD services and other non-essential surgeries on the basis of the manpower, number of infected, beds and other conditions available there.

According to the Ministry sources, a meeting held at the secretary level has also urged all the hospitals facing scarcity of manpower and the medical equipment to recruit the manpower and arrange for the equipment instantly.

Similarly, the ministry has requested to make arrangements to work with 50 percent manpower and not to give long leave to any medics.

The ministry has also requested to ensure that the ICU and all emergency equipment in the hospitals are in workable condition and make them so if not.