KATHMANDU: The Health Emergency and Disaster Management Unit has urged the health sector to strengthen preparedness and response measures and remain on high alert in view of the adverse weather forecast.
The Unit issued a circular to the Provincial Health Emergency Operation Centres of all seven provinces, calling for effective preparedness and response measures.
The directive comes after moderate to heavy rainfall, accompanied by lightning and strong winds, was forecast in various parts of the country for three days beginning October 29.
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority have also urged the public to remain alert to the risks of landslides, floods, and inundation due to possible heavy rainfall.
In the circular, Unit Chief Dr Hemant Chandra Ojha instructed the provincial centres to designate an emergency focal person to remain in contact with the Unit around the clock. The centres have also been asked to provide the focal person’s contact details to the Unit and make them publicly available.
Similarly, the Unit has directed the centres to keep emergency medical teams and essential health resources on standby. They have also been asked to update information on available human resources, medicines, medical equipment, ambulances, and other resources in coordination with partner agencies in the health sector.
The circular further instructed the Provincial Health Emergency Operation Centres to ensure the prompt and effective mobilization of ambulance services by maintaining continuous coordination with provincial ambulance dispatch centres. The measure aims to provide timely health services to people injured or affected by potential disasters.
Likewise, the centres in all seven provinces have been asked to submit daily reports on health-related incidents and the overall situation without fail, using either ‘zero reporting’ or ‘incident reporting’, as applicable.
The Unit has also urged the centres to take measures to prevent disruptions to health services, ensure the availability of essential human resources and medical equipment, and mobilize immediate response teams in disaster-affected areas as needed.
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