Recommendation of proposed COVID Ordinance by DPNet Nepal
May 22, 2021
Disaster Preparedness Network Nepal (DPNET Nepal) has been working for the last two and a half decades in policy dialogue, advocacy and coordination in the field of disaster management. It has been working as a network of national and international organizations related to disaster management. In the context of current epidemic situation any other pandemic situation, DPNet Nepal has sent recommendation to Deputy Prime Minister Honorable Ishwor Pokhrel requesting the government to consider effective health care service to protect the life of people while planning and developing provisions for proposed COVID Ordinance and other related policies being put forward by the government. DPNet had a detail discussion with various stakeholders and the outcome was incorporated in the recommendation.
According to that, mechanism should be developed in such a way that in case of epidemics and emergencies, medicines and other supplies are accessible and criteria for advance payment, management for immediate procurement must be ensured. It was included that arrangements for distribution of medical supplies, custom clearance and transportation of supplies and other assistance must be made easy. Likewise, effective coordination, facilitation, capacity building, archiving of health related information in all sectors and at the federal, provincial and local level not duplicating the work of the authority formed under Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, 2074. Arrangements should be made to empower a legally formed institution with resources and manpower to conduct study and research. It also included the participation of relevant ministries related to health services, planning commission, health-related organizations, stakeholders, security agencies, disaster management authorities, private sector, communications, civil society organization and health sector experts. It was also requested that during epidemic and similar disaster, all service providers, businesses, regulatory bodies should work to save the lives of the citizens by being more accountable towards the people. It has also been requested to provide vaccine and other services to the volunteers working in the forefront of humanitarian service.
It has been requested that the work of overall disaster risk reduction and management must be under already established institution Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. It was also requested to place under the Prime Minister's Office with additional resources, tools, human resources and with additional rights to perform the duty.
