UN-Dhulikhel Hospital strategic collaboration to transform healthcare delivery

The United Nations in Nepal and Dhulikhel Hospital have signed a Joint Declaration of Intent to share expertise to transform healthcare delivery in Nepal and advance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Acknowledging the importance of partnership with academia under the UNSDCF and SDG Partnership program, the UN Resident Coordinator's Office and four UN agencies—UNFPA, UNICEF, IOM, and WHO—have signed the Joint Declaration of Intent with Dhulikhel Hospital.

Speaking at the historic signing ceremony, the UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal Madam Hanaa Singer Hamdy said, “Achieving the SDGs in Nepal requires strong partnerships with various sectors. We are hopeful that this collaboration with Dhulikhel Hospital will yield excellent results to improve healthcare, address public health issues, and support vulnerable populations through shared expertise and collaborative efforts ultimately supporting a healthier, more resilient Nepal for all."

Through collaborative programmes, the UN and the Dhulikhel Hospital will enhance post-Covid-19 recovery and resilience and improve primary healthcare delivery by sharing best practices and addressing public health challenges like infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and non-communicable diseases.

The UN will support Dhulikhel Hospital on global health topics; engage in research projects to boost health outcomes; and conduct community outreach focused on health, nutrition, and social behavior change, particularly targeting vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations.

The Dhulikhel Hospital will provide technical expertise and share best practices to develop joint research projects.

“This partnership marks a significant milestone in Nepal’s healthcare journey. We are confident that together, we can build a healthier future for all. By combining Dhulikhel Hospital’s expertise in the medical field and research, and with the UN’s global resources and network, we are poised to make a substantial impact on the health and well-being of the Nepalese people.” Said Professor Dr. Ram Kantha Makaju Shrestha, Executive Director of Dhulikhel Hospital.

This joint UN collaboration as mandated by the UN Reform together with the Dhulikhel Hospital is expected to have a profound impact on the lives of countless Nepalese people and serve as a model for other countries in the region.

Urgent action urged in South Asia to curb deadly air pollution

South Asia is home to 9 of the world’s 10 cities with the worst air pollution, which causes an estimated 2 million premature deaths across the region each year and incurs significant economic costs. A new World Bank report shows that there are economically feasible, cost-effective solutions to achieve clean air in the region, but this requires countries to coordinate policies and investments.

‘Striving for Clean Air: Air Pollution and Public Health in South Asia’, released today, reads concentrations of fine particulate matter such as soot and small dust (PM 2.5) in some of the region’s most densely populated and poor areas are up to 20 times higher than what WHO considers healthy (5 µg/m?). Exposure to such extreme air pollution has impacts ranging from stunting and reduced cognitive development in children, to respiratory infections and chronic and debilitating diseases. This drives up healthcare costs, lowers a country’s productive capacity, and leads to lost days worked, it adds.

Large industries, powerplants and vehicles are dominant sources of air pollution around the world, but in South Asia, other sources make substantial additional contributions. These include combustion of solid fuels for cooking and heating, emissions from small industries such as brick kilns, burning of municipal and agricultural waste, and cremation.

Air pollution travels long distances – crossing municipal, state, and national boundaries – and gets trapped in large ‘airsheds’ that are shaped by climatology and geography.

The report identifies six major airsheds in South Asia where spatial interdependence in air quality is high. Particulate matter in each airshed comes from various sources and locations, for example less than half of the air pollution in South Asia’s major cities is produced within cities. 

“Persistently hazardous levels of air pollution have caused a major public health crisis in South Asia that demands urgent action,” World Bank vice president for South Asia Martin Raiser said, adding that curbing air pollution requires not only tackling its specific sources, but also close coordination across local and national jurisdictional boundaries. “Regional cooperation can help implement cost-effective joint strategies that leverage the interdependent nature of air quality.”

Several South Asian countries have adopted policies to help improve air quality, but their focus on mitigating air pollution generated within cities is yielding insufficient results.

The report shows that current policy measures will only be partially successful in reducing PM 2.5 concentrations across South Asia even if fully implemented. To achieve greater progress, the focus of policy makers should expand into other sectors, particularly small manufacturing, agriculture, residential cooking, and waste management.

The report analyses four scenarios to reduce air pollution with varying degrees of policy implementation and cooperation among countries. The most cost-effective scenario, which calls for full coordination between airsheds, would cut the average exposure of PM 2.5 in South Asia to 30 µg/m³ at a cost of $278 million per µg/m of reduced exposure, and save more than 750,000 lives annually.

“The economic benefits of policies to reduce air pollution in South Asia exceed the economic costs by a large margin,” World Bank chief economist for South Asia Hans Timmer. “But optimal solutions depend on several factors such as better monitoring systems, more scientific capacity, greater coordination between governments, and behavioral change among farmers, small firms, and households.”

To this end, the report offers a three-phased roadmap:

Phase 1: Sets the condition for airshed wide coordination by expanding the monitoring of air pollution beyond the big cities, sharing data with the public, creating or strengthening credible scientific institutes that analyze airsheds, and taking a whole-of-government approach.

Phase 2: Abatement interventions are broadened beyond the traditional targets of powerplants, large factories and transportation. During this phase major progress can be made in reducing air pollution from agriculture, solid waste management, cookstoves, brick kilns, and other small firms. At the same time, airshed-wide standards can be introduced.

Phase 3: Economic incentives are finetuned to enable private-sector solutions, to address distributional impacts, and to exploit synergies with climate change policies. In this phase trading of emission permits can also be introduced to optimize abatement across jurisdictions and firms.

WHO South-East Asia countries resolve to reorient and strengthen health systems

Taking lessons from the ongoing pandemic and emphasising a once-in-a-century opportunity, countries of WHO South-East Asia Region today adopted a Ministerial Declaration resolving to strengthen health system resilience to ensure health security, and achieve universal health coverage and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for health.

"Strong health systems that are primary health care-oriented, and which leave no one behind, create populations that are healthier, more productive and financially secure," regional director at WHO South-East Asia Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh said at a ministerial round table during the ongoing seventy-fourth Regional Committee meeting. "Resilient health systems are the bedrock of emergency preparedness and response, and ensure that when acute events occur, essential health services can be maintained,” she added.

Through the Declaration adopted at the ministerial round table, member countries committed to provide political leadership and accountability to advance health security and progress towards universal health coverage and the health-related SDGs.

The member countries resolved to reorient health systems towards comprehensive primary health care through increased public investments, as the foundation for strengthening both public health emergency capabilities and achievement of universal health coverage.

"The pandemic has highlighted the urgency and importance of investment in human resource for health, especially at the primary health care level, and the need for adequate supply of affordable, effective, quality and safe medical products to ensure an effective response to public health emergencies and to build resilient health systems,” the regional director said.

The Declaration also commits to closer engagement with and the empowerment of communities to maintain the delivery of essential health services and public health programmes during and after the pandemic, according to a press note issued by the WHO South-East Asia Region office. "To roll-out effective response for at-risk and affected communities, member countries agreed to ensure integration of public health emergencies and disaster risk management strategies, as well as strengthening surveillance and preparedness capacity at the primary health care level."

Member countries additionally resolved to accelerate integration of noncommunicable diseases including mental health, and other programmes, at the primary health care level, as well as establishing national quality standards for primary health care services and ensuring access to quality health services during the pandemic and recovery phase.

Likewise, the member countries further agreed to appropriately leverage the potential of traditional systems of medicine, while optimising innovations in digital health technologies. The eclaration also emphasised the importance of leveraging additional resources and partnerships, including the important role of WHO, to support the development of national capacities to address public health emergencies and ensure the delivery of high-quality health services for all.

Promoting accessible tourism can help Nepal drive recovery, boost economy

Investing in disability-friendly infrastructure and services can help hoteliers and entrepreneurs tap the accessible tourism market in Nepal, a growing segment globally, while driving economic growth and accelerating recovery, reveals a new IFC study.

The report -- 'Open to All: A Survey on Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities in Nepal’s Hotels' -- covers 90 starred hotels in major cities. While 95 per cent of the participating hoteliers are aware of accessible tourism as a concept, they have not invested in necessary measures to ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities.

With existing facilities limited to ramps and lifts in most hotels, only 17 per cent of the surveyed hotels put up signs to help visually-impaired guests and 74 per cent of the hotels did not have any Braille signage on door plaques and room directories, according to the survey. "Further, only about 9 per cent of the hotels had staff, who were trained in or had basic knowledge of sign language while only 33 per cent of the participating hotels had extra wheelchairs for guests."

The poor numbers were attributed to a range of factors including old structures, remote locations, and fewer guests with disabilities. Many of the surveyed hotels also cited extra cost as a key deterrent to building ramps, purchasing wheelchairs, or providing other accessible infrastructure and services.

"Globally, the concept of accessible or inclusive tourism has gained ground in recent times," IFC country manager for Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan Wendy Werner said, ading that accessibility at tourism destinations is key to responsible and sustainable tourism to ensure everyone can be part of the tourism experience, regardless of physical limitations, disabilities, or age. "Accessible tourism is not only a human right, it also makes business sense."

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), globally, around one billion people are affected by some form of disability. According to disability rights experts in Nepal, as more persons with physical limitations and disabilities travel around the world, a focus on accessible infrastructure in hotels as well as tourism destinations can boost the number of foreign tourists in the country.

"Currently, around 2,000 tourists with disabilities visit Nepal every year," president of the National Federation of the Disabled–Nepal Mitra Lal Sharma said. "But, with improved facilities and conditions that are more disability-friendly, the number could easily go up to over 10,000 tourists a year."

“Although accessible tourism is relatively new in Nepal, we are confident that with adequate support, we can push ourselves to explore and attract this growing segment of tourists to our country,” said president of Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) Shreejana Rana.

The study also recommends, going forward, the government, the private sector, and deveelopment partners will need to work together to create a conducive environment by incorporating universal accessibility practices into relevant legal and policy provisions, with the involvement of persons with disabilities.

The study was conducted by the Society of Economic Journalists–Nepal, in collaboration with the National Federation of the Disabled–Nepal, with financial and technical assistance from IFC.

The rest of Japan-pledged Covid-19 vaccine will arrive in a few days

The remaining doses of AstraZeneca vaccine Japan pledged for Nepal through Covax Facility are expected to arrive in Kathmandu on August 21 and 23, according to a press note issued by the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu.

The half of approximately 1.6 million doses were already delivered to Nepal on August 7 and 8 and have been used in the current vaccination campaign. The exact amount of vaccine donated from Japan to Nepal will be 1,614,740 doses in total.

Ambassador Kikuta Yutaka stated that the vaccine donation is a symbol of friendship between Japan and Nepal. Japan is a country, which keeps her words and I am pleased all the more that Japan will provide actually more than pledged 1.6 million doses vaccines by the end of August," he is quoted in the press note. "We deeply appreciate the dedication and hard work of all related organizations in international community."

The Embassy of Japan is working together with the government, Covax Facility, a partnership between CEPI, Gavi, UNICEF and WHO; and international community for the mitigation of Covid-19 pandemic as well as for the progress of post-Covid society and economy of Nepal.

The health ministry is administering the vaccines received earlier from Japan to those, who have already received the first doze of AstraZeneca vaccine but were awaiting for the second one. The government had earlier administered the vaccines to elderly people.

Nepal to get 4 million doses of Moderna vaccines through Covax

 Nepal is the second country globally to have completed agreements with GAVI to procure 4 million doses of Moderna vaccines, financed by the World Bank, through the Covax cost-share option, according to a press note issued by the World Bank. "This will diversify and strengthen the country’s Covid-19 vaccine portfolio."

"Nepal is an early mover in utilising the Covax cost-share scheme, and I am pleased to note that we have finalised an arrangement, despite very challenging circumstances, to bring safe and highly effective vaccines to Nepal,” said minister of state for Health and Population Umesh Shrestha. "Moderna vaccines have helped expand options for vaccinating Nepalis above 12 years of age and fast-track Nepal’s progress towards a safer post-Covid world."

Delivery of these vaccines is expected to start by March 2022 and will contribute to Nepal’s goal to vaccinate at least 72 per cent of its population, as well as children 12-17 years of age for whom the Moderna vaccine is deemed safe and effective.

“We are honoured to support the people and government of Nepal, along with our development partners, by financing the purchase of safe and effective vaccines through the Covax facility,”  World Bank country director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka Faris Hadad-Zervos said, adding that it is a key element of World Bank's overall Covid response by helping to meet emergency health needs and strengthening the healthcare and vaccine delivery system.

The World Bank has made available $104 million to support Nepal’s health response to the pandemic, with $67.5 million earmarked to purchase and deploy Covid-19 vaccines. Last month, 1,000 oxygen concentrators were brought in through the project while seven oxygen generation plants are being established, one in each province. These will help strengthen health preparedness in the event of future waves of the pandemic.

"We commend the government of Nepal for being the first country in South Asia, and one of the first in the world, to join and tap into the Covax cost-share option,” said World Bank vice president for South Asia Hartwig Schafer. "The World Bank is committed to continuing our support to Nepal’s Covid-19 vaccination programme, which is critical to helping the people and economy of Nepal build back better from this unprecedented crisis."

The World Bank supports countries’ Covid-19 vaccine implementation plans. Countries make choices based on their specific needs and the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended policy and guidelines on vaccines, therapeutics, and other tools they adopt. As the threshold for eligibility for IBRD/IDA resources in vaccine purchase, the bank accepts as eligible for inclusion in the project Covid-19 vaccines that (i) have received regular or emergency licensure or authorisation from at least one of the Stringent Regulatory Authorities (SRAs) identified by WHO for vaccines procured and/or supplied under the Covax Facility, as may be amended from time to time by WHO; or (ii) have received WHO Prequalification or WHO Emergency Use Listing. The Moderna vaccine meets these criteria.

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the World Bank Group has deployed over $157 billion to fight the health, economic, and social impacts of the pandemic, the fastest and largest crisis response in its history. The financing is helping more than 100 countries strengthen pandemic preparedness, protect the poor and jobs, and jump start a climate-friendly recovery. The bank is also supporting over 50 low- and middle-income countries, more than half of which are in Africa, with the purchase and deployment of Covid-19 vaccines and is making available $20 billion in financing for this purpose until the end of 2022.

Japan-gifted AstraZeneca vaccine arrive

 Nepal today received some 513,420 doses -- the first consignment of the 1.6 million doses -- of AstraZeneca vaccine gifted by Japan through the COVAX facility, an international vaccine-sharing scheme backed by the United Nations (UN).

The Health Ministry confirmed that some 513,420 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine arrived in Nepal today morning. Some more doses -- the second consignment -- are expected to arrive tomorrow, according to the ministry. "The remaining doses of the vaccine will arrive after a week."

Japanese ambassador Kikuta Yutaka attended the hand-over ceremony of the Japanese-made AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) with the state minister of Health and Population Umesh Shrestha, joint secretary of North East Asia Division at the Foreign Ministry Lok Bahadur Thapa, representative of UNICEF Nepal Elke Wisch and WHO representative to Nepal Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav. "The vaccine donation from Japan for Nepal through COVAX facility was announced by minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Motegi Toshimitsu on July 13," according to Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu. "The remaining half of 1.6 million doses pledged by Japan will be shipped to Kathmandu shortly, once the arrangements of the relevant organisations finalised," the Embassy press note reads.

At the hand-over ceremony, ambassador Kikuta stated that this donation is 'From the People of Japan for the Friendship with Nepal'. He also appreciated the cooperation of all the concerned organisations including the government of Nepal and the international organisations such as COVAX, GAVI, WHO and UNICEF. He also mentioned that the Government of Japan strongly supports the vaccination campaign by Deuba administration, which is necessary for the progress of post-COVID Nepali society and its economic recovery. "We hope that this vaccine, together with other generous contributions from international community, will help Nepal to ease down various difficulties caused by the Covid-19," the ambassador added.

Japan has been providing various support for Nepal to tackle with the Covid-19 pandemic with medical equipment for Nepali hospitals to date, the Embassy of Japan will continue working together with Nepal to overcome the pandemic, the press note reads.

The vaccine from Japan arrived in Nepal a day after 230,000 doses of the same type of vaccine were delivered to Nepal by Bhutan. Nepal needs some 1.4 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine immediately to administer second doses to those aged 65 and above, who took their first doses in the second week of March.

The received vaccine will be provided as the second doses to those over 65 years from Monday,” the Health Ministry confirmed.

Nepal started the vaccination drive in January with the 1 million doses of Covishield, the AstraZeneca type vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, which were gifted to Nepal by India. Of the 2 million doses Nepal bought from the Serum Institute, only 1 million doses were shipped. Serum Institute of India is yet to ship the remaining doses.

According to the ministry, Nepal has received some 10,526,270 doses of vaccine from various sources.

Nepal so far has used India-manufactured Covishield, China's Sinopharm manufactured Vero Cell , The US manufactured Johnson & Johnson. "Of the total 5.8 million doses of Vero Cell, Nepal bought some 4 million doses from China whereas 1.8 million doses were provided by the Chinese government under grant assistance," according to the ministry, "On July 12, the US provided some 1,534,850 doses of Janssen through the COVAX facility, whereas COVAX itself had supplied 348,000 doses of Covishield to Nepal on March 7.

As of today, some 4,442,622 people have received their first doses (around 14.8 per cent) and some 2,359,793 people have been fully vaccinated (some 7.86 per cent). The government has unveiled a plan to procure 42 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine by February next year, and inoculate all eligible citizens above 12 years of age before mid-April.

As of Saturday, 4,442,622 people have received their first doses (around 14.8 percent) and 2,359,793 people have been fully vaccinated (7.86 percent).

ADB approves $ 165 million loan to Nepal to procure vaccines against Covid-19

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today approved a loan of $165 million for Nepal to purchase safe and effective vaccines against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

The project will support the National Deployment and Vaccination Plan in Nepal by procuring an estimated 15.9 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, which will benefit about 6.8 million Nepalis, according to a press note issued by the ADB today.

|ADB’s support will help Nepal procure much-needed Covid-19 vaccines to protect its citizens from the further spread of this disease,” said ADB president Masatsugu Asakawa. "It is essential that Covid-19 vaccines are quickly purchased and administered to help get the economy back on track by enabling the restoration of livelihoods and economic activities, as well as the resumption of educational and human development pursuits."

The project is financed by ADB’s $9 billion Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility launched in December 2020 to offer rapid and equitable vaccine-related support to ADB developing member countries. "Vaccines eligible for financing must meet at least one of the APVAX eligibility criteria: the vaccine has been selected for procurement through the Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) mechanism; the vaccine has been prequalified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) or WHO emergency use listing; or the vaccine has received regular or emergency licensure or authorisation by a Stringent Regulatory Authority," reads the press note.

In addition to this project, ADB’s ongoing technical assistance grants will support the strengthening of the vaccine delivery system, communication, and community engagement to raise awareness on the risks of Covid-19 and the benefits of vaccination. The government is mobilising female community health volunteers to disseminate information among marginalised communities to raise awareness. At least one female health worker or volunteer will support the effort in every vaccination site or outreach center, it adds.

ADB closely collaborates with other partners, like the World Bank, COVAX, WHO, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in supporting Nepal in its efforts to vaccinate its people as soon as possible, the press note reads, adding that the project will complement the government’s broader response through its $1.2 billion National Relief Programme, which consists of social protection, health care, and economic relief measures. "In May 2020, ADB provided support to the programme through a $250 million concessional loan.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members, 49 from the region.

China is providing 300,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine as grant assistance

 After India, now China has come forward to help Nepal get vaccine against Covid-19 on the request of the government.

Issuing a press note today, the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu said that China has decided to provide 300,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine under grant assistance to Nepal. “The Chinese government has decided to provide 300,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines under grant assistance to Nepal, which will benefit 150,000 Nepalis,” The press note reads, adding that China and Nepal are good neighbours, good friends and good partners. “Facing whatever challenges like the earthquake and the pandemic, the two countries have always supported and helped each other through thick and thin.”

“Despite huge demands for the vaccines both in China domestically and across the world at present, the Chinese government has prioritised Nepal in providing the vaccines, fully demonstrating the great importance it attaches to the China-Nepal friendship," the press note reads, adding that the vaccine to be donated to Nepal is developed by the Sinopharm and has already got conditional marketing approval in China. “After a two-dose inoculation procedure, the vaccine shows 79.34 per cent efficacy against Covid-19, and the seroconversion rate of neutralising antibodies reached 99.52 per cent.”

The safety and effectiveness of the vaccine has surpassed the marketing standards of the World Health Organisation (WHO), and received wide recognition by other countries. “The vaccine has got licenses for marketing or approval for emergency use in 13 countries including Pakistan, the UAE, Egypt, and Hungary.

The embassy is coordinating with Nepali authorities on the registration for emergency use and receipt of the vaccine and would like to deliver the vaccines to the Nepali side at the earliest so as to help Nepal win the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the press note. “The Chinese side is willing to work together with the Nepali side to build a community of health for all and further strengthen and promote the strategic partnership of cooperation featuring the ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity between the two countries.”

India has provided 1 million corona vaccine to Nepal as the gift under its 'neighbourhood first' policy.

Reinvigorate response to HIV among challenges posed by pandemic : WHO

 On World AIDS Day, World Health Organisation (WHO) cautioned countries in South-East Asia region against slow-down in services for HIV prevention, testing, and treatment, saying this could leave many vulnerable populations at greater risk of HIV infection and AIDS-related death.

Addressing a virtual meeting of ministers of Health and heads of National HIV programmes of member states today, the regional director of WHO South-East Asia Region Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh said that the theme for this year’s World AIDS Day, Global Solidarity – resilient services is very relevant. “It’s a timely reminder that we must continue to work together and ensure that HIV services remain an integral part of our response to Covid-19,” she said, adding that this year they must take stock of their response to HIV, learn from what has worked and accelerate those efforts to reach the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.’

Between 2010 and 2019, the region has taken large strides in its response to HIV, according to the WHO. Epidemiological trends show that both new infections and HIV-related deaths are continuing to decline, with the number of new HIV infections dropping by an estimated 23.8 per cent and the number of AIDS-related deaths coming down by 26.7 per cent. In 2019, an estimated 38 million people were living with HIV globally, of which 3.7 million were in the WHO South-East Asia region.

However, Dr Singh pointed out that the rate of decline has plateaued over recent years and also that the region and across globe, we are lagging behind on 90-90-90 targets to be achieved by 2020. These targets mean 90 per cent of all people estimated to be living with HIV will know their HIV status, -90 per cent of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy and 90 per cent of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.

According to the UNAIDS 2020 Global AIDS Report, nearly 98 per cent of new HIV infections in the Asia- Pacific region are occurring among key and vulnerable populations. “Acting on the insights and advice of key populations is a precondition of success,” said the regional director.

Further, the Covid-19 pandemic, which took a huge toll on essential health services, has also affected access to HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services, the WHO press note reads. “There is a clear and present danger of many vulnerable populations finding themselves at greater risk of HIV infection and AIDS-related death.”

“The Covid-19 pandemic has given us the opportunity to learn from adversities,” Dr Khetrapal Singh said at the high-level meeting. “The examples of differentiated service delivery, reaching out to people at facility nearer to them or outside of health facility, dispensing of drugs for 3 months as against existing practice on monthly dispensation, tasking shifting dispensation of drugs by nurse, community workers to stable patients, and use of e-medicine for consultation, virtual interactions have led to greater comfort levels among service providers and clients,” she said, adding that this is a step towards strengthening HIV prevention, one that can help and re-invigorate our response to HIV.

Highlighting the role of community participation, she said, “We must harness the rich experience of communities affected by HIV.”

By empowering communities to prevent, detect and treat HIV, countries can make full use of a range of new tools such as pre-exposure prophylaxis and community-based and HIV self-testing, as well as better antiretroviral drugs such as Dolutegravir, she added.

At the virtual meeting, countries in the region took the opportunity to share experiences and best practices on HIV service delivery amidst the pandemic, and the need to build even more resilient health systems to ensure rights-based HIV services continued to be available to people. Member states also outlined what was required to integrate HIV programmes within Universal Health Coverage.

“As we stand at the last 10 year stretch of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, our response to HIV in the Region remains critical and central to the goals of 2030,’ Dr Khetrapal Singh said.

ADB allocates $20 million to help developing members access vaccines for Covid-19

 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has allocated $20.3 million in technical assistance to help its developing members’ access vaccines for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) and establish systems to enable equitable and efficient vaccine distribution.

The funds will be available for ADB developing members to support vaccine-related health system assessments and the development of country readiness plans to strengthen the capacity to access, introduce, deploy, deliver, and monitor vaccines safely and effectively, according to a press note issued by the multilateral development partner. Funds will help members assess and strengthen vaccine cold chain and logistics, infection control, supply and skills of health workers, risk communications, and real-time data capturing and monitoring. The technical assistance will also support the identification and promotion of innovative cold chain and vaccine tracking technologies.

“Asia and the Pacific has largely done well to limit the spread of Covid-19,” director general of ADB’s Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department Woochong Um said, adding that ensuring access to a safe, effective, and equitable vaccine is the next frontier in the fight against this virus. “With these additional grant resources, ADB can immediately support our developing members to undertake urgent actions, including vaccine system assessments and vaccine deployment strategies, to ensure vaccines are delivered efficiently and fairly.”

ADB expects to implement the technical assistance with its partners UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO), in coordination with COVAX, Gavi, the World Bank, bilateral agencies, among others. The funds comprise $20 million from ADB’s Technical Assistance Special Fund (TASF) and $300,000 from the High-Level Technology Fund financed by the Government of Japan. 

ADB approved a $20 billion expanded assistance package in April to support its developing members’ Covid-19 response.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members; 49 from the region.

Worldwide Measles deaths climb 50 per cent a four years claiming over 207,500 lives last year

 Measles surged worldwide in 2019 reaching highest number of reported cases in 23 years.

Highlighted in a publication by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United States (US) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), measles cases worldwide increased to 869,770 in 2019, the highest number reported since 1996 with increases in all WHO regions, a press note from WHO reads, adding that global measles deaths climbed nearly 50 per cent since 2016, claiming an estimated 207,500 lives in 2019 alone.”

After steady global progress from 2010 to 2016, the number of reported measles cases climbed progressively to 2019, it reads. Comparing 2019 data with the historic low in reported measles cases in 2016, authors cite a failure to vaccinate children on time with two doses of measles-containing vaccines (MCV1 and MCV2) as the main driver of these increases in cases and deaths.

“We know how to prevent measles outbreaks and deaths,” WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, adding that these data send a clear message of failure to protect children from measles in every region of the world. “We must collectively work to support countries and engage communities to reach everyone, everywhere with measles vaccine and stop this deadly virus.”

Measles outbreaks occur when people, who are not protected from the virus are infected and spread the disease to unvaccinated or under-vaccinated populations. To control measles and prevent outbreaks and deaths, vaccination coverage rates with the required MCV1 and MCV2 must reach 95 per cent and be maintained at national and subnational levels. MCV1 coverage has been stagnant globally for more than a decade at between 84 and 85 per cent, and MCV2 coverage has been steadily increasing butis only now at 71 per cent. Vaccination coverage against measles remains well below the 95 per cent or higher needed with both doses to control measles and prevent outbreaks and deaths.

Global response to Covid-19 pandemic must not exacerbate the measles crisis, he added.

Although reported cases of measles are lower in 2020, necessary efforts to control Covid-19 have resulted in disruptions in vaccination and crippled efforts to prevent and minimise measles outbreaks, the press note reads. “As of November, more than 94 million people were at risk of missing vaccines due to paused measles campaigns in 26 countries.”

Many of these countries are experiencing ongoing outbreaks. Of countries with postponed planned 2020 campaigns, only eight – including Brazil, Central African Republic Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines and Somalia – resumed their campaigns after initial delays. “Before there was a coronavirus crisis, the world was grappling with a measles crisis, and it has not gone away,” UNICEF executive director Henrietta Fore said, adding that while health systems are strained by the Covid-19 pandemic, everyone must not allow the fight against one deadly disease to come at the expense of the fight against another. “This means ensuring we have the resources to continue immunisation campaigns for all vaccine-preventable diseases, even as we address the growing Covid-19 pandemic.”

Global immunisation partners are engaging leaders and public health professionals in affected and at-risk countries to ensure that measles vaccines are available and safely delivered, and that caregivers understand the life-saving benefit of the vaccine, according to the press note. On November 6, the WHO and UNICEF issued an emergencycalltoactionfor measles and polio outbreak prevention and response.

“Measles virus easily finds unprotected children, adolescents and adults because it is so contagious,” Measles and Rubella Initiative Management Team chair and Accelerated Disease Control Branch chief at US CDC Dr Robert Linkins said, adding that infections are not only a sign of poor measles vaccination coverage, but also a known marker, or ‘tracer,’ that vital health services may not be reaching populations most at-risk. “Our collective efforts to reach children with vaccines now, ahead of the possible easing of Covid-19 travel restrictions and increased population movement, will save lives.”

The Measles and Rubella Initiative (M&RI), which includes American Red Cross, the United Nations Foundation, the US CDC, UNICEF and WHO, and global immunization partners like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and others, are working to address the current measles crisis and ensure that resources are positioned to address immunization delays – for measles and all vaccines – in every region of the world.

Need to continue extreme caution against Covid-19: WHO

 The World Health Organisation (WHO) today cautioned against any relaxation of response actions following the recent slight decline in Covid-19 cases in South-East Asia Region, saying the pandemic continues unbated and our response only needs to be strengthened further to curtail virus transmission.

“There should be no complacency in view of the declining numbers in recent weeks,” regional director of WHO South-East Asia Region Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh said, adding that the region still reports large numbers of Covid-19 cases. “We need to continue to do our very best to curtail the pandemic.”

The coming festival season and the approaching winter, cold season threatens to aggravate the situation if we let our guards down, she added.

Member countries have been making concerted efforts scaling up capacities for timely detection, testing, tracing contacts, isolating the affected and providing hospital care to those who need it. “Our relentless efforts need to continue with more vigor,” the regional director said.

This festive season we must continue to take responsibility as individuals of the need to maintain physical distance, hand hygiene, cough etiquette and wear a mask when and where needed, she said, adding that people must remember the three Cs - avoid crowded places, avoid closed settings and avoid confined and enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.

The co-circulation of seasonal influenza and Covid-19 in the winters may present challenges for health systems and health facilities, since both diseases present many similar symptoms. Many of the same measures that are effective in preventing Covid-19 are also effective for preventing influenza, including physical distancing, hand hygiene, covering coughs, ventilation and masks.

WHO is working with countries to take a holistic approach to the preparedness, prevention, control and treatment of all respiratory diseases, including influenza and Covid-19.

For the third week in a row, the WHO South-East Asia Region has registered 6 per cent to 8 per cent decline in the number of Covid-19 cases, mainly due to a decrease in reported cases from India and Bangladesh, though the cases in Nepal has been increasing exponentially.

Home to one-fourth of the worlds’ population, the region has reported over 8 million of the nearly 40 million cases globally, mostly from the most populous countries which also face unique demographic and geographic challenges.

WHO continues to support countries in their containment and mitigation efforts providing technical guidance, laboratory capacity strengthening for testing, equipment for hospitals and protection of healthcare workers, and creating awareness and addressing misinformation.

Urgent action needed to address growing mental health issue in Nepal

 On World Mental Health Day, the United Nations in Nepal joins everyone, including the government and development partners, civil society, communities and families, to urgently strengthen actions to mitigate the deteriorating mental health situation among the Nepali population.

As Nepal continues to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, suicides among adolescent girls, already an issue of concern, have increased by almost 40 per cent during the first four months of nationwide lockdown compared to the previous year, according to the Nepal Police. The data suggests that there are other gender related issues aggravating the mental health of adolescent girls. It highlights the urgency required for everyone to act before girls and boys in Nepal turn their helplessness into self-harm, read a press note issued by the UN.

There have been a number of initiatives taken by the Health Ministry and the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens in recent years. The UN also welcomes the recent message from Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who expressed concerns regarding the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on mental health and called for mass awareness on mental health and psychosocial wellbeing for the general public, the press note reads, adding that this urgent call for action comes at time where there are multiple levels of needs, from awareness raising to strategic and rapid investments in specialised and non-specialised mental health care. “According to the July 2020 findings of UNICEF Child and Family Tracker household survey, some 49 per cent of families reported an increase in stress levels since the lockdown, mainly related to concerns about their capacity to support their children.”

At the same time, the mental health of the most vulnerable in the population is especially of concern as they are particularly susceptible to uncertainty, isolation and stress.

The UN stands by the government and all relevant stakeholders as concerted efforts are made to increase the investment in mental health promotion, prevention of disorders, treatment and rehabilitation at the federal, provincial and local levels, so that mental health and psychosocial services become easily available and accessible for all. Building a cohesive, thriving post-Covid 19 Nepal requires all of us, policy makers, development partners, health professionals and families to make stronger commitments and investments into the well-being of our communities, the press note reads. “We must also jointly address the stigma around mental health and seeking mental health services.”

A nationwide survey conducted by the Nepal Health Research Council in 2019 highlighted that 10 per cent of adult participants had a mental illness during their lifetime. These mental health conditions frequently first appear during adolescence but often also go unrecognised and untreated with subsequent effects on adult mental health, social functioning and parenting.

According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report published in 2017, most children with mental health conditions suffer without any professional help. They impact learning outcomes and the quality of social interactions, all central to healthy societal growth.

Government issues guidelines for mountaineering and trekking activities

 The government has asked the foreigner to carry with themselves a PCR test report conducted not more than 72 hours ago – for trekking and mountaineering purpose – apart from seven-day mandatory hotel quarantine before they will be allowed to hit the trail. The travelers need to get tested for Covid-19 at the beginning and end of the isolation period, according to the government guideline issued today.

Issuing health protocol today for foreign tourists to follow in order to minimise the possible spread of coronavirus infection while conducting trekking and mountaineering activities, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation also asked the tourists to secure an entry-visa, or an entry-permit in absence of visa-provision in their countries in co-ordination with respective agencies. “Travellers have to secure visas before they arrive in Nepal,” the ministry said, adding that the government will not issue on-arrival visas at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) like before.

If the visitors are unable to secure visas through the Nepal embassies and diplomatic mission abroad, they should make a prior request through their trekking or travel agencies in Nepal. The Department of Tourism that issues mountaineering permits, and the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) that issues trekking permits, will recommend to the Department of Immigration to issue visas to the applicants.

The government is allowing the foreign trekkers and mountaineers to visit Nepal from October 17.

The tourists must carry with themselves a PCR test report conducted not more that 72 hours ago, attesting that the person has tested negative for Covid-19. “Along with the report, the traveler must have booking-documents for the hotel wherein they will stay for at least seven days in quarantine.”

They must also undergo a PCR test at their own expense on the fifth day of being quarantined. They may proceed for the purported activity at the end of quarantine period only on testing negative for the disease. “If the test results in a positive, the person must stay in quarantine for as long as they do not test negative,” the guidelines read.

The travelers must provide papers proving they have an insurance of $5,000, it reads. “The ministry has also asked the trekking or mountaineering agency to insure travelers from Nepal against coronavirus for a sum of Rs 100,000 prior to applying for permit.”

Apart from the guidelines, the travelers must also abide by all the protocols laid out by the Health Ministry.

However, the travel experts criticised the government guidelines saying that the travelers will not come to Nepal to stay in the hotel for a week. They also requested the government to withdraw the decision.

The government – on March 12, a day after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the Covid-19 outbreak a pandemic and urged countries to take precautionary measures – had decided to temporarily stop issuing on-arrival tourist visas to nationals of all countries, and cancel spring mountaineering expeditions including Mt Everest missions.

The government also stopped international flights from March 20 and imposed lockdown from March 24. Though, the lockdown was lifted after 120 days, on July 21, the government continued with the restrictive order with restrictions on movement.

ADB vows to be developing Asia's partner for recovery from Covid-19

 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is committed to partnering with developing economies in Asia and the Pacific to achieve their recovery goals from the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, president Masatsugu Asakawa said in an address to ADB’s Board of Governors today.

“ADB will continue to earn your trust as a steadfast partner during the uncertain times we still face in our region as we build for a strong and lasting recovery,” he said, adding, “Our work toward a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive recovery stands on a foundation of mutual trust formed over decades of cooperation with you, our members.”

He was speaking at the opening of the Business Session of the second part of ADB’s 53rd Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors, this year held in a virtual and abbreviated format due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

ADB – in April – announced a $20 billion package to help its developing members address Covid-19. This included rapid emergency grants and technical assistance to help governments meet urgent medical needs; a new Covid-19 Pandemic Response Option (CPRO), which is supporting countercyclical expenditure programmes; and assistance for the private sector.

ADB has so far committed about $11.2 billion in financial and technical assistance to fight the pandemic. Working closely with development partners, ADB has also mobilised about $7.2 billion in cofinancing.

As the region moves forward toward recovery, Asakawa said ADB will build on its relationship with its members to support them in six key areas.

First, ADB will promote regional cooperation and integration to help members seize the opportunity that renewed globalization can offer in a post-pandemic new normal. “While there are some who suggest that recent border closures and travel restrictions are signs that globalisation has ground irreversibly to a halt, I do believe that globalization will return, but it will take a different shape,” Asakawa said, adding that ADB will work with developing members to secure more diversified value and supply chains, and to promote regional public goods for better collective prevention of disease outbreaks, mitigation of climate change impacts, and enhancement of the regional financial safety net.

Second, since Covid-19 has contributed to an increase in income inequality and absolute poverty, ADB will strengthen investments in health, education, and social protection, which will better ensure safety and opportunities for all, while building the human capital that economies need to thrive in the long term.

Third, ADB will accelerate its efforts to tackle climate change in order to reach the goals established in its long-term Strategy 2030—to reach $80 billion in cumulative climate investments and 75 per cent of the total number of committed operations by 2030.

Fourth, ADB will invest in information technology and data for health; education; financing for micro, small, and medium enterprises; and remote work—while also addressing both the digital divide and cyber security.

Fifth, ADB will help its members strengthen domestic resource mobilisation through international tax cooperation, since all key areas of development require that governments improve their capacity to mobilise financial resources while managing debt sustainability.

And last, ADB will support the efforts of its developing members to secure safe and effective vaccines, and to formulate strategies for equitable delivery. To accomplish this, ADB will continue to strengthen collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO); the World Bank (WB); GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance (VA); vaccine experts; and pharmaceutical companies.

Over two days of online annual meeting events, ministers from ADB members, development and industry experts, journalists, and nongovernment organisations have discussed a range of issues confronting Asia and the Pacific. Other events today included the CNBC Debate, Resetting Asia: Technology, Investment, and Sustainability; and the Governors’ Seminar on Developing Asia Beyond the Pandemic.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members, 49 from the region.

Asia Pacific health and finance ministers commit to building stronger health systems

 Building on the learnings from the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic, ministers of health and finance from Asia Pacific countries, including from the WHO South-East Asia Region have committed to build and finance resilient health systems with Universal Health Coverage at the centre of it.

"For every dollar invested in universal health coverage, the return is delivered many times over – first, due to increases in overall population health and well-being and the productivity, jobs and poverty-reduction they promote; and second, because when the quality and reach of health services improves, health systems become more resilient and can better mitigate or manage acute threats while maintaining essential health services’ said WHO South-East Asia Regional director Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh.

Health and finance ministers from the Asia Pacific Region met at a virtual meeting organised by WHO, the Government of Japan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to discuss ways and means to accelerate universal health coverage (UHC) or health for all and mobilise financing for healthcare amidst and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.

The WHO South-East Asia Region, which was represented by health and finance ministers from several Member countries, has been focusing on UHC as one of its flagship initiatives. The region has adopted two key ministerial declarations on building resilient health systems, the 2019 Delhi Declaration on Preparedness and last week the Region’s Declaration on Collective Response to Covid-19. Both these declarations commit to investing in preparedness and Regional solidarity to make health systems stronger amongst the 11 member countries.

“Across the WHO South-East Asia Region, across Asia and across the world, countries that have made sustained, long-term investments in UHC have health systems that are more resilient, and which have more effectively minimised the spread of Covid-19, maintained essential health services, and mitigated economic shock,” the regional director said.

Since the start of the pandemic almost nine months ago, countries in the region have demonstrated how strong health systems can effectively respond to global health emergencies. Bhutan, the Republic of Korea and Malaysia have provided free testing for Covid-19 and care, which resulted in timely diagnosis and treatment. Bhutan, strongly committed to UHC, has one of the world’s highest testing rates and as of September 17, is yet to report a Covid-19 death. Countries in the region with a strong primary health care infrastructure and human resources have been able to repurpose health workers and respond to the pandemic as well as ensuring continuity of essential health services. Sri Lanka with one of the highest numbers of health workers in Asia has reported only 13 deaths due to Covid to date.

“Countries that are committed to UHC have logistics and supply chains that are more secure, efficient and transparent, and can rapidly meet surge needs, for example by increasing testing capacity, procuring personal protective equipment, or maintaining access to essential medicines and medical products,” Dr Khetrapal Singh said, adding that they are also better able to rapidly roll-out key innovations. “Crucially, countries that are committed to UHC have successfully mobilised the whole-of-government, whole-of-society buy-in required to effectively respond to the pandemic.” Thailand, with a strong investment in public health over the years has managed to keep Covid-19 transmission rates low.

She made a strong plea for prioritising health in government budgets for the short and medium term, for improving investment in primary health care and a better targeting of resources for the poor and the vulnerable, and mobilising domestic revenues for health via pro-health taxes eg on tobacco, alcohol, sugar sweetened beverages.

Covid-19 could reverse decades of progress toward eliminating preventable child deaths, agencies warn

 The number of global under-five deaths dropped to its lowest point on record in 2019, down to 5.2 million from 12.5 million in 1990, according to new mortality estimates released by UNICEF, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the World Bank Group.

Since then, however, surveys by UNICEF and WHO reveal that the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in major disruptions to health services that threaten to undo decades of hard-won progress.

“The global community has come too far towards eliminating preventable child deaths to allow the Covid-19 pandemic to stop us in our tracks,” said UNICEF executive director Henrietta Fore. “When children are denied access to health services because the system is overrun, and when women are afraid to give birth at the hospital for fear of infection, they, too, may become casualties of Covid-19,” Fore said, adding that without urgent investments to re-start disrupted health systems and services, millions of children under five, especially newborns, could die.

Over the past 30 years, health services to prevent or treat causes of child death such as preterm, low birth weight, complications during birth, neonatal sepsis, pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria, as well as vaccination, have played a large role in saving millions of lives.

Recent child mortality estimates generated by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) showed that Nepal has demonstrated remarkable progress in reducing the under-five mortality rate. In 2019, it was estimated at 31 per 1000 live births, or a 78 per cent reduction from the level of 1990. Nepal is one of the few countries meeting the targets of the Millenium Development Goal (MDG) 4.

Now countries worldwide are experiencing disruptions in child and maternal health services, such as health checkups, vaccinations and prenatal and post-natal care, due to resource constraints and a general uneasiness with using health services due to a fear of getting Covid-19.

A UNICEF survey conducted over the summer across 77 countries found that almost 68 per cent of countries reported at least some disruption in health checks for children and immunization services. In addition, 63 per cent of countries reported disruptions in antenatal checkups and 59 per cent in post-natal care.

A recent WHO survey based on responses from 105 countries revealed that 52 per cent of countries reported disruptions in health services for sick children and 51 per cent in services for management of malnutrition.

Similarly, in Nepal, rapid assessment conducted by UNFPA in coordination with Family Welfare Division during the initial phase of the lockdown period reported more than 60 per cent decline in antenatal visits and 35 per cent decrease in institutional delivery as compared to before the lockdown. Routine antenatal care and delivery at health facilities is extremely critical for the survival of both mothers and their newborns, according to the report.

Health interventions such as these are critical for stopping preventable newborn and child deaths. For example, women who receive care by professional midwives trained according to international standards are 16 per cent less likely to lose their baby and 24 per cent less likely to experience pre-term birth, according to WHO.

"The fact that today more children live to see their first birthday than any time in history is a true mark of what can be achieved when the world puts health and well-being at the centre of our response,” WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Now, we must not let the Covid-19 pandemic turn back remarkable progress for our children and future generations,” Ghebreyesus said, adding, ”Rather, it’s time to use what we know works to save lives, and keep investing in stronger, resilient health systems.”

Based on the responses from countries that participated in the UNICEF and WHO surveys, the most commonly cited reasons for health service disruptions included parents avoiding health centres for fear of infection; transport restrictions; suspension or closure of services and facilities; fewer healthcare workers due to diversions or fear of infection due to shortages in personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves; and greater financial difficulties. Afghanistan, Bolivia, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Libya, Madagascar, Pakistan, Sudan and Yemen are among the hardest hit countries. 

Seven of the nine countries had high child mortality rates of more than 50 deaths per 1000 live births among children under five in 2019. 

Even before Covid-19, newborns were at highest risk of death. In 2019, a newborn baby died every 13 seconds. Moreover, 47 per cent of all under-five deaths occurred in the neonatal period, up from 40 per cent in 1990. With severe disruptions in essential health services, newborn babies could be at much higher risk of dying. 

In May, initial modelling by Johns Hopkins University showed that almost 6,000 additional children could die per day due to disruptions due to Covid-19.

These reports and surveys highlight the need for urgent action to restore and improve childbirth services and antenatal and postnatal care for mothers and babies, including having skilled health workers to care for them at birth. Working with parents to assuage their fears and reassure them is also important. 

“The Covid-19 pandemic has put years of global progress to end preventable child deaths in serious jeopardy,” said global director for Health, Nutrition and Population at the World Bank Muhammad Ali Pate. “It is essential to protect life-saving services which have been key to reducing child mortality,” Pate said, adding that they will continue to work with governments and partners to reinforce healthcare systems to ensure mothers and children get the services they need.

“The new report demonstrates the ongoing progress worldwide in reducing child mortality,” said director of the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs John Wilmoth. “While the report highlights the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on interventions that are critical for children’s health, it also draws attention to the need to redress the vast inequities in a child's prospects for survival and good health.”

Countries in WHO South-East Asia region sign declaration to fight Covid-19

 All member countries of WHO South-East Asia Region today resolved to collectively fight Covid-19 and strengthen the Region’s response with better equipped health systems to deliver essential health services during the pandemic.

"The spread of Covid-19 has impacted almost every community, overwhelmed health systems and disrupted economies and livelihoods with effects reaching far beyond the health sector,” WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, adding that it has also disproportionately impacted the most vulnerable. “WHO recently surveyed countries to understand better the priorities in the South East Asia region.” 

At the top of the agenda is maintaining essential health services. Signing the Declaration on ‘Collective Response to Covid-19’ along with ministers of Health and representatives of member countries, regional director of WHO South-East Asia Region Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, said that people’s ordinary health needs do not disappear during such extraordinary events. “Health security is not only about building capacity to prevent, prepare for and respond to acute events,” she said, adding that it must also be about building capacity to maintain essential health services for the duration of response and into the recovery.”

The Declaration was signed at the end of a ministerial round table on the second and last day of the Seventy-third Regional Committee Session, hosted by Thailand, and held virtually for the first time ever due to Covid-19 pandemic.

During the roundtable, all member countries shared their various Covid-19 response measures and efforts being made to maintain essential health services and restore those impacted due to the pandemic.

All countries agreed to the importance of universal health coverage and primary health care as a safety net for people to access quality health services - both Covid-19 and other essential services, including the most vulnerable population.  

The Declaration calls for efforts to ensure countries sustain essential health services and public health programs during public health emergencies and use the current pandemic as an opportunity to build back their health systems to be better.

The member countries agreed to allocation of adequate budgets to ensure uninterrupted services during and beyond the pandemic, while prioritising health of the people, a press note issued by the WHO reads. “Countries resolved to strengthen health information systems by leveraging digital technologies which capture timely reporting of outbreaks and sharing information for policy decision.”

With health workers playing a crucial role in the pandemic, member countries pledged to ensure occupational health, safety and wellbeing of health professionals and other related workers.

Speaking to health ministers of the 11 member states Dr Khetrapal Singh said, “Continued efforts should be made to keep health workers safe from infection and violence and to provide mental health and psychosocial support.”

The Declaration also calls for strengthening safety of patients and the people through adequate public health and social measures and access to quality personal protective devices; and strengthening occupational and environmental safety through medical waste management systems and making biomedical and systems research stronger, was also agreed upon.

The member countries agreed to continuing and expanding multi-sectoral collaboration; strengthening regional collaboration for scaling up capacities for preparedness, surveillance and rapid response, field epidemiology training, supply chain management of medicines and medical supplies, and regional stockpiling of essential health resources. They also resolved to identify gaps and strengthen core capacities as required by the International Health Regulations 2005.

All countries in the region agreed to fully engage in global discussion on equitable allocation of vaccines, medicines and diagnostics for Covid-19.

“All people, all sectors, all countries and all partners must come together to strengthen the response and build a recovery and future that is more health secure, and in which all people’s health needs are met as a precondition to achieving the sustainable development to which we strive,” added Dr Khetrapal Singh.

Pandemic, essential health services to predominate discussions as health ministers of WHO South-East Asia Region meet this week

 Participating in the 73rd Regional Committee Session of WHO South-East Asia on September 9 to September 10, amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, health ministers from member countries of the WHO South East Asia Region will discuss measures to curtail the outbreak, ways to maintain essential health services and transition to the ‘new normal’.

Hosted by Thailand, the 73rd Regional Committee Session of WHO South-East Asia, the annual governing body meeting of WHO in the Region, is being held virtually for the first time ever in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. WHO director general Dr Tedros Adhanom, regional director for WHO South-East Asia Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, health ministers and senior health officials of the 11 member countries of the Region, UN agencies, partners, donors and civil society representatives would be among those attending the two-day session.

The pandemic has severely strained health systems across the Region. As part of the Covid-19 response, WHO has been advocating for maintaining essential health services and accelerating resumption of disrupted health-care services. This will be discussed at a Ministerial Round Table with member countries sharing experiences and lessons learnt.

The mid-term review of progress, challenges, capacities and opportunities for the decade of health workforce strengthening 2015-2024; and annual report on monitoring progress on universal health coverage and health related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are among the agenda of the session.

The 73rd Regional Committee Session will also take note of the progress in implementation of some of the previous resolutions adopted by the Regional Committee such as promoting physical activity, the regional action plan to reduce harmful use of alcohol, access to medicines, dengue control and malaria elimination and measles and rubella elimination.

Home to one-fourth of the world’s population, the region has eight flagship priority programmes – eliminate measles and rubella by 2023; prevent and control noncommunicable diseases through multisectoral policies and plans, with a focus on ‘best buys’; accelerate reduction of maternal, neonatal and under five mortality; continue progressing towards universal health coverage with a focus on human resources for health and essential medicines; further strengthen national capacity for preventing and combating antimicrobial resistance; scale-up capacity development in emergency risk management in countries; finish the task of eliminating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and other diseases on the verge of elimination; accelerate efforts to end TB by 2030.

The region has been making remarkable progress around the flagships and beyond.  During the Session, some countries will be felicitated for the recent public health achievements.