Government Preparedness and Response for 2020 Pandemic Disaster in Nepal: A Case Study of COVID-19
12 Pages Posted: 31 Mar 2020
Date Written: March 30, 2020
Abstract
The outbreak of Nobel Corona Virus (COVID-19) from Wuhan has isolated millions of population from regular activities. The spread is so much viral that it is almost impossible to stop. It is important to understand the role of Government, Business Houses and Development Partners in understanding the effectiveness in immediate preparedness and response of the situation. The main purpose of this study is to explore and understand the overall management of situation based in experience of Italy, China, USA and South Korea after the outbreak of Corona Virus. The overall aim of the study is to draw the clinical expertise, field experience to identify the needs and gaps and make recommendation for effective preparedness and response. China is already experienced in controlling such pandemic situation from the time of outbreak of SARS in 2002-2003. This time it is not that much difficult for government to set up large scale surveillance system in identifying and following up the suspected and infected people. Although South Korea didn’t follow lock-down method, it made quick preventive and curative method. Identification of this viral disease is made within an hour by using telephone booth and public place in each nook and corner of the country. However, Italy and US didn’t make preparation once COVID-19 outbreak was there in China and still rejects country lock-down method. Since the country has been facing the situation of lock-down and all the respondents have become bound to their home depending on the information sources basically social network and online news and in little extent print and digital media. Their responses reflect the availability of figures accessible to them and it certainly has the impact over the result thus obtained. A huge gap in response obtained due to the fluctuations in knowledge has been evident for a set of questionnaire. Government of Nepal made specialized hospitals in capital and various provinces of the country, which helps to check viral effect in time. As economic activities are zero, the facilities and relief packages are necessary to grant to all sectors of the country to revitalize the economy. In case of the number of cases are increased, it is alarmingly difficult to control. With the decision of country lock-down, it has both positive and negative impact. But this policy cannot sustain for longer period of time and is on short term measures.
Keywords: Pandemic, Disaster, Nepal, COVID-19, Corona, Virus, China, USA
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