KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Health and Population has initiated early preparedness measures to prevent disease outbreaks ahead of the monsoon season, which is often accompanied by increased risk of infections and epidemics.
Health and Population Minister Pradeep Paudel convened a high-level preparedness meeting to ensure timely response and prevention measures, making six key decisions aimed at minimizing health risks during the rainy season.
Minister Paudel emphasized the need to break the trend of reactive responses only after a disaster strikes. He stressed identifying potential threats in advance and pledged full support to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.
Following the minister’s direction, the meeting with disaster response and epidemic control officials decided to immediately begin proactive measures.
As part of the plan, the Department of Health Services will identify potential epidemic-prone areas through its Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) and make preparations to ensure sanitation and safe water supply.
The National Health Education, Information and Communication Centre will also begin outreach activities at the local level to promote safe water use and hygiene practices.
According to ministry spokesperson Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, the EDCD will hold virtual meetings with local rapid response teams to gather necessary information and advance preparedness efforts.
The division will also update the roster of trained health emergency personnel across all seven provinces and deploy them as needed.
Additionally, the ministry will coordinate with the National and Provincial Emergency Operations Centers to ensure effective disaster response and health-related interventions.
The meeting also decided to prepare amendments to the Communicable Disease Act 1964 to align it with evolving needs and circumstances.
The Department of Health Services has been tasked with submitting the proposed revisions to the ministry within a week.
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