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Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority COVID19 Dashboard

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority COVID19 Dashboard

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A live repository and dash-board for COVID-19 in Nepal
Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority COVID19 Dashboard

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COVID-19 Dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE)

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COVID-19 and Health Facts: Immunity boosting foods and right eating pattern

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

COVID-19 and Health Facts: Immunity boosting foods and Right eating pattern

Moiz Khan

Continuously living in the life of stress, fear and anxiety will just invite more diseases. Instead let us start living healthier life with more awareness and right knowledge. Immunity is the power of the body to defense against external pathogenic substances. Balanced diet taken in right pattern can boost up our immunity. Healthy living is the best immune response during COVID-19.

More raw vegetables and fruits should be taken during this time. It adds a lot of fiber, tons of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to our body. Fruits taken on an empty stomach can increase our energy levels. It also helps in bowel movement and in weight loss. Immunity Boosting Foods like Drumsticks, Garlic, Onion, Turmeric, Red Capsicum, Cucumber, Carrot, Coconut water, lemon, orange should be taken. Drumstick helps in boosting our immunity and acts as a shield for any virus to grow. Intake of Coconut water should always be fresh. Adding half a lemon to fresh coconut water, vitamin C shoots up by 10 times. Vitamin C present in Red Capsicum is 3 times higher than the Vitamin C found in an orange.

Drinking at least two liters sufficient water per day will not only help flush out toxins but maintain a healthy fluid balance. We should avoid junk foods, dairy products, Non-Veg, Deep fried and packaged food as much as possible. Intermittent fasting can also be done. It is not a diet, but rather an eating pattern. It is an eating cycle between periods of fasting and feasting. It helps to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. It induces various cellular repair processes. It helps to lose weight and belly fat. It reduces insulin resistance and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes.

What to Avoid?

Stress and fear weakens our immune system. Hence, we should consciously avoid taking any stress as it will directly affect our immune system. Being active by practicing yoga or brisk walking will always help. Yoga helps in calming our mind, body and soul. In particular, exercise is best in strengthening our respiratory system. Good quality sleep every night recharges the immune system. Good sleep is important. Striving to have a peaceful night, and getting quality sleep and rest is one of the best things we can do for our health and well-being. It helps in hormonal balance, reduces inflammation, decreases lifestyle disease risk in both adults and children and also boosts our immunity.

Handshakes should be avoided. Avoiding crowded places, going out, meeting people and self- quarantine must be done. We must practice Social Distancing for our own safety and the safety of others too. This is our foremost responsibility. As we are all aware of the saying “Too much of anything is bad”. We must use this period to de-addict ourselves from anything that we feel we can’t do without. Our addiction could range from something as simple as our morning tea/coffee
to consumption of alcohol and smoking.

Just as sanitizers and masks work as shields on the outside, our healthy thoughts & immunity are our inner shields. If we can spread a disease, we can also spread love and gratitude. Washing hands at regular intervals, making this a habit, in every 3-4 hours for 10-20 seconds thoroughly is the best thing we can do!

Moiz Khan, Bachelor in Pharmaceutical Sciences (7th Semester), School of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University, Dhungepatan, Pokhara-30, Kaski, Nepal

The Situation of Country after COVID-19 | Moiz Khan

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COVID-19 and Health Facts: Immunity boosting foods and right eating pattern

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National Plan, Policy & GuidelinesOutbreak NewsPublic HealthResearch & Publication

Health Sector Emergency Response Plan, MoHP Nepal

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

Health Sector Emergency Response Plan, MoHP Nepal

Goal and objectives

This plan intends to prepare and strengthen the health system response that is capable to minimise the adverse impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives

  • Provide clear policy guidance for timely health system preparedness and readiness to respond to the pandemic.
  • Provide a guiding framework for timely, efficient and effective response to the pandemic.
  • Provide official guidance to prepare and implement specific interventions applicable at all spheres of governments and level of health care delivery.
  • Support policy makers and managers in exploring the options and making the decisions for resource allocation and management.

Strategic approaches and key interventions

Public health and social measures

  • Quarantine management
  • Community engagement and risk communication
  • Case investigation and contact tracing
  • Surveillance
  • Screening at point of entries (POE)
  • Community level screening and testing
  • Emergency response teams
  • Other socio-administrative measures

Hospital-based interventions

  • Hospital care and referral
  • Laboratory services and other areas of hospital interventions (Investigations, Infection prevention and control, referral mechanism, accommodation and food, WASH in health facilities, Health care waste management and decontamination, Dead body management, Mental health services and psychosocial counselling)

Safety and security of the frontline Staff

  • Ensure adequate availability of personal protective gears as per protocol.
  • Security system at each designated hospital will be strengthened with adequate security personnel. Hospitals will regularly coordinate with local administration offices to make necessary arrangements.
  • CCITT and any other community mobilization and engagement will be coordinated with the local administration and security system.
  • Any stigma and discrimination, violence and any forms of harassment towards health workers engaged in the COVID19 response process will be monitored and state will take necessary measures to avoid them and in case of occurrence necessary legal actions will be taken with ZERO tolerance to violence.
  • Based on the need assessment of the individual institutions, necessary arrangements will be made to adopt work from home modality to reduce crowd at the health facilities.
  • Mechanism will be established at each health facility to assess health conditions of the staff and risk-risk (or vulnerable group) members will be mobilized to serve secondary functions in the hospitals.

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COVID19 Resources: Guidelines and Documents- Ministry of Health and Population

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COVID19 Resources: Guidelines and Documents- Ministry of Health and Population

WHO declares novel coronavirus (#COVID19)outbreak a pandemic

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Scholarships for African Students at the University of Oxford

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

Scholarships for African Students at the University of Oxford

Here is the selection of some of the scholarships available to African students at the University of Oxford. For a more complete and up to date list of available scholarships, visit the University of Oxford Fees, Funding and Scholarships page.

Undergraduate Scholarships

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Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the Economy

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the Economy

Asbin Ghimire and Sandip Pahari

Many things said and heard recently about the newly emerged Coronavirus. It is an infectious disease also known as COVID-19 caused by Coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the first outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. COVID-19 is now emerged as a pandemic affecting 210 countries globally. Till date around 3.58 Million cases were confirmed and 251 thousands people have died due to the disease.

Recommended: COVID-19 fallout could push half a billion people into poverty in developing countries

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is likely to have long-lasting economic and social impacts of global proportions stemming from the direct and indirect effects of illness, the preventive behaviors of people and the transmission control policies of governments. Specifically, GDP projections have already been revised downward for most regions and countries, driven by shocks to both domestic demand and supply and sharp declines in the circulation of goods and services. During the first few months of the outbreak, governments around the world have been correctly focused on managing the spread of the disease, relying in many cases on stringent transmission control measures without placing a high weight on the current and future economic costs of these measures. As it becomes clear that the economic and social costs of the outbreak will be significant, governments are increasingly turning their attention to a broader set of policy interventions that can help mitigate such costs.

According to US Bureau of Labour more than 3.8 million people in US have filed for unemployment benefits in last six week. Similarly close to one million people in UK also applied for benefits in just two week at the end of March. Oil price drop at $ 20.59 per Barrel which was the lowest price of oil at 21 year. According to estimates from the International Labour Organization, nearly 25 million jobs could be lost worldwide as a result of the pandemic. In March, the OECD cut its forecast for global economic growth in 2020 from 2.9 percent to 2.4 percent, which would be the lowest level since the financial crisis a decade ago, warning that a prolonged and more intensive coronavirus epidemic could even halve this figure to a mere 1.5 percent.

To prevent the spread of virus, Nepal government had started the trend of lockdown from March 18th to till date. Nepal’s economy cannot remain isolated from domestic and global measures adopted to prevent the spread of coronavirus which will result on the hotel and restaurant, manufacturing and transportation sectors witnessing negative growth of 16.3 per cent, 1.1 per cent and 2.26 per cent respectively, in the current fiscal year. Along with the tourism and transportation sectors, the remittance sector is expected to be the worst hit by the pandemic according to CBS. The Bureau has projected that remittance share of the GDP will fall to 19.01 per cent in the current fiscal year. It will be the first time that its share has been dropped below 20 per cent of the GDP since fiscal year 2010-11. According to Bureau these projections have been made estimating extreme losses in the hotel, restaurant and international transportation sectors till the end of this fiscal year, while other sectors are expected to gradually resume from mid of May.

Nepal is also looking at a severe employment crisis as millions of Nepalese who are currently working in foreign lands return home after losing jobs as economies around the world go into recession. Over 1.5 million Nepalese are estimated to be working in Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait while 3 to 4 million Nepalese are estimated to be living and working in India, according to the Migration in Nepal Report prepared by the International Organization for Migration. At least 600,000 to 700,000 Nepalese are expected to return due to reduced job opportunities in abroad, as per an initial estimate by Department of Labor. As a result the inflow of remittance is expected to decrease by Rs 163 billion on this year. All of these economical activities dragged down the Nepal economic growth to four year low of 2.27 % in current fiscal year. CBS has projected the country’s per capita income to grow to $1,085 or Rs 127,466 this fiscal from $1,039 or Rs 118,623 in fiscal 2018-19. This may result in increasing on poverty rate which may last for several year.

The current concern is not only on managing the escalating cases and deaths of COVID-19 infected people but also planning for how to sustain the severely shrunk global economy. Many rich nations are projecting and adopting numerous measures to control the huge downfall of their country’s economy whereas Nepal is webbed with its never lasting game of political and social unrests. Even in this phase of doom, if we aren’t cognizant then not even god can save Nepal’s economy from collapsing from which the country takes decades to strike back to normal.

Asbin Ghimire, 7th Sem BPH Student, School of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University
Email:  asbing5t45@gmail.com, Cell No. +977-9860080199

Sandip Pahari,Assistant Professor, School of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University
Email: sp.mph15@gmail.com, Cell No. +977-9846261237

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Send us your articles to mail4sagun@gmail.com with your name and photo. Public Health Update encourages public health students and professionals to submit views and voices.

The Situation of Country after COVID-19 | Moiz Khan

A state of Dual Pandemic: COVID-19 & Falsified Products

Digital advocacy in context of COVID-19 | Rashmi Acharya

The science of hand sanitizers

Tips for staying healthy in lockdown | Anushree Acharya

Digital advocacy in context of COVID-19 | Rashmi Acharya

Adverse effect of COVID-19 on workers and ways to mitigate them

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Public Health

Vacancy Announcement for Research Associate (Public Health)- PHASE Nepal

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

Vacancy Announcement for Research Associate (Public Health)- PHASE Nepal

PHASE Nepal is a non-governmental, non-profit making, non-political, and an equal employment opportunity providing organization, registered under Social Development Act, 2034 at District Administration Office, Kathmandu, and is affiliated with Social Welfare Council of Nepal. For the last 14 years, PHASE Nepal has been improving the livelihoods of poor communities in Humla, Bajura, Mugu, Gorkha, Dhading, Chitwan, Nuwakot, Kathmandu, and Sindhupalchok districts by providing immediate support through health care and education services and creating opportunities in communities for self-empowerment. Recently, PHASE Nepal has diversified its portfolio to work in Academic Researches.

Some of our currently active research projects are related to Informal Waste Workers, People with Disability, Assistive Technology, Urban Health, Nutrition, IMNCI Health Data Analysis, Health Systems, Participatory Documentary Making, and Agriculture. PHASE Nepal is currently looking for suitable candidates for the following position to work in some of the above and other future research projects.      

Position:  Research Associate (Public Health)

Required Number: Few

Duty Station: Central Office, Thimi, Bhaktapur with frequent visits to project areas in Humla, Mugu, Bajura, Gorkha, Sindhupalchok, and other project areas of PHASE Nepal.

Duration: An annual renewable contract that is conditional to availability of funds and performance (Some of the contracts can be for less than a year depending upon the duration of available funds). 

Job Description

The Research Associate will play a key role and will be responsible for collecting overall research data from the primary source, analyze, and interpret. S/he must independently take a pro-active role in data collection, compiling, digitizing, coordinating, and processing of overall research data and support statistician and research investigators for producing high-quality analytical reports and manuscripts.

Following are the requirements for the position but are not limited to:

  • Work with the PHASE team in research designs such as in developing concept notes, research proposals, and data collection tools.
  • Work with Research Lead in developing, piloting, and implementing research, data analysis, and writing up.
  • Qualitative and quantitative data collection, mentor/train junior researchers/enumerators Support researchers in the field, arrange transportation, accommodation, administrative activities related to data collection, and assisting data entry.
  • Communication and co-ordination between PHASE Nepal and other project partners to manage relationships and deliver work.
  • Help to produce high-quality research outputs for a range of audiences including analysis, manuscript preparation, report writing, and presentations where necessary.
  • Make sure that work is participatory, including working with peer researchers/community and valuing the importance of communicating with different audiences where necessary.
  • Help PHASE’s implementation activities if and when needed.
  • Perform any other duties as required by the line manager in line with the grade of the post.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

  • Minimum Masters in Public Health or Any Health-related subject.
  • Minimum 3 years of experience in Public Health-related research.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of data collection methods like In-Depth Interviews, Survey Designs, and Group Discussions.
  • Strong analytical skills and experience in conducting literature reviews.
  • Proven experience with qualitative research techniques.
  • Experience in writing manuscripts, and progress reports.
  • Ability to work independently in a stressful environment with minimal supervision.
  • Working knowledge of statistical packages such as Stata, SPSS is an advantage.
  • Knowledge of KOBO Tool Box or similar data collection software is an advantage.
  • Knowledge of NVivo data management software is an advantage.
  • Experience in quantitative research is an advantage.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
  • Ability to produce high-quality work under tight deadlines.
  • Systematic, well organized, dependable, and with a high degree of initiative and sense of responsibility.

Salary and Benefits:

Gross Salary: Rs. 85,500 per month. This is including the Provident Fund (10% of Basic Salary), Gratuity (8.33% of Basic Salary), and Festival Allowances (Pro-rata basis).

We also enroll all our staff along with their dependent (Spouse, 3 children, or Parents) in Medical Insurance worth Rs. 2,25,000 (Two Lakh Twenty Five Thousand Only) and Accidental Insurance worth Rs. 20,00,000 (Twenty Lakh Only).

How to Apply:

Interested candidates meeting the above-mentioned criteria are requested to follow the link  Application for Research Associate to apply online no later than 20th May 2020. However, we will close the vacancy if we find the appropriate candidate before the application deadline so please apply ASAP. Please apply only if you meet the required qualification and experiences.

PHASE Nepal is an equal opportunities employer and strictly follows the merit-based selection. Qualified female candidates or those from disadvantaged communities or living with a disability are strongly encouraged to apply. PHASE reserves the right to qualify/disqualify applications in any case. Only shortlisted candidates will be called for the further selection process.

No telephone inquiries will be entertained and any inappropriate recommendation will automatically disqualify the candidate from further processing.

Source of info: PHASE NEPAL Website

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Adverse effect of COVID-19 on workers and ways to mitigate them

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

Adverse effect of COVID-19 on workers and ways to mitigate them

Srishti Neupane

Some countries are struggling with a lack of capacity, some countries are struggling with the lack of resources and some countries are struggling with the lack of resolve. Exceeding on more than 200 countries and territories, infecting more than 3.7 million and killing more than 258,294 people till date, the world is grappling with a silent killer originated from  Wuhan city in Eastern China, officially named as COVID-19.The world economy is enduring a staggering downturn amidst the spread of COVID-19.There has been significant rise in unemployment and underemployment in the wake of the virus affecting millions of workers for which there is a need of decisive, coordinated and immediate response in achieving a sustained and equitable recovery.

The COVID- 19 pandemic poses an extra ordinary challenge to the world. The spread of unprecedented corona and its unprecedented consequences has already had a large negative impact on labor supply and earnings of workers in many countries. Beyond the urgent concerns about the health of the workers and their families, the virus and subsequent economic shocks will impact the world of work across three key dimensions; the quantity of jobs, the quality of work and effects on specific groups who are more vulnerable to adverse labor market outcomes. Nearly 25 million jobs could be lost worldwide as a result of pandemic as per International Labor Organization. With many businesses struggling to survive, loss of jobs and income and working poverty are a reality for many workers. The impacts are already visible. Individuals are already suffering immediate losses in terms of income and employment. Labor supply is declining because of quarantine measures. At this point, the decline in economic activity will devastate workers close to or below the poverty line.

Unfortunately, the outlook for the future doesn’t paint a brighter picture. Some employers have already started laying off employees whereas others have asked them to stay on unpaid leave for some time. Labor migration has already come to a complete halt and numerous affected countries that are labor destinations for many workers have gone into lockdown, shuttering industries and factories. Workers are not able to return home which might leave them without basic facilities and their families back home without an income, affecting both physically and mentally. However, the impact is not same for all types of workers. The downturn is particularly harsh for younger workers, unprotected workers including self-employed, casual and gig workers, workers with unstable employment relationships and those in more precarious types of employment. They are likely to be disproportionately hit by the virus as they do not have access to paid sick leave and are less protected by conventional social protection mechanisms and other forms of income smoothing. These worries are even greater for workers with an underlying and invisible chronic health condition. Daily-wage earners will be hardest hit, as they have to go out every day to make ends meet.

Furthermore, the decision not to show up at work when feeling ill is particularly difficult for a person without paid sick leave and little savings to fall back on. While millions of people are laid off, some set of individuals working in agricultural, industrial, health or any sectors don’t want to slow down. With decreased working hours and increased sleepless nights, many workers are confined to their workplace with full mind thinking of family and empty stomach thrilling for food. The agricultural workers if able to produce, the consumption is decreasing due to lockdown which hits them financially. On the other hand, health workers are at the front line of the COVID -19 outbreak response and such are exposed to hazards that put them at risk of infection due to which many of them lost their life unwillingly. Hazard includes pathogen exposure, long working hours, psychological distress, fatigue, occupational burnout, stigma and physical and psychological violence. Along with the men, the women who make up 70% of health workforce across the globe are more likely to be frontline health workers, have less access to PPE and essential safety measures. Similarly, the absence of adequate social protection systems exacerbates working family’s vulnerability to the crisis.

Since many of these workers risk their lives to protect ours, the nation has a responsibility to protect the health and financial stability of these individuals and their families. The policy responses should focus on two immediate goals: health promotion measures and economic support on both the demand and supply side. At first, the workers and employers and their families should be protected from the health risks of COVID-19. Protective measures at the workplace and across community should be introduced and strengthened, requiring large-scale public support and investment and social protection must be extended. Second, timely large scale and coordinated policy efforts should be taken to provide employment and income support and to stimulate the economy and labor demand. This measures not only  cushion enterprises and workers against immediate employment and income losses but also help prevent a chain of supply shocks and demand shocks that could lead to a prolonged economic recession. Protecting workers in the workplace, stimulating the economy and labor demand and supporting employment and incomes can be the good policies to minimize the direct effects of the corona on workers.

Likewise, provision of social distancing and personal protective equipment specially for health and allied workers, volunteers and others in permanent contact with people and hygiene procedures such as thorough hand washing, using sanitizers can be appropriate to protect workers in the workplace as per the guidelines of WHO. Encouraging workers to stay home if they are sick,  maintaining routine cleaning and disinfecting of work environment is essential for vulnerable workers. Prompt identification and isolation of potentially infectious individuals is a critical step in protecting workers and others in worksite. Enhancing universal access to collectively-finance health services for all including uninsured workers and their families, expanding access to  paid sick leave  to ensure income security  for those who are sick and quarantined. It is high time that the state should come forward with relief packages for those families who depend on daily wage earning (as per Nepali saying, “Give to the one who eats when having, not to the one who always have”). The provisions of food and shelter for labors who are stuck in their labor destination should be made by the respective governments.  Also, the female workers in any sectors have their unique health needs so, there must be the provision of sexual and reproductive health services including maternal health care along with essential hygiene and sanitation items focusing mainly for female health workers.

In a nutshell, the global COVID-19 pandemic is a genuine shock to daily life which has wrought havoc across the continents, leaving behind not just thousands dead, but also the global economy in tatters. Regardless of how the situation develops, action steps have to be taken immediately to help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on all the affected workers. Everything we do during and after the COVID-19 crisis must aim to build more equal, inclusive and sustainable economies and societies. At the end of the day, we are all human and every one of us may be impacted by COVID-19.

STAY SAFE!

Srishti Neupane, BPH 5th Semester, School of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University 

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Want to submit an article?

Send us your articles to mail4sagun@gmail.com with your name and photo. Public Health Update encourages public health students and professionals to submit views and voices.

The Situation of Country after COVID-19 | Moiz Khan

A state of Dual Pandemic: COVID-19 & Falsified Products

Digital advocacy in context of COVID-19 | Rashmi Acharya

The science of hand sanitizers

Tips for staying healthy in lockdown | Anushree Acharya

Digital advocacy in context of COVID-19 | Rashmi Acharya

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The Situation of Country after COVID-19 | Moiz Khan

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

The Situation of Country after COVID-19 | Moiz Khan

Moiz Khan

We barely bother the future as we are now fighting against noble coronavirus pandemic commonly called COVID-19. We don’t know what next, and how does it end. The post COVID-19 people on the planet must face unparalleled social and economic challenges. Millions of jobs are at risk. The UN agency –International Labor Organization (ILO) for example, warned that the latest dire assessment reflects the full or particle lockdown measure that affects almost 2.7 billion workers– four in five of the world’s workforce. While we have no research data available at the national level, Nepal needs to protect the most vulnerable segments such as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), self-employment, women, and youth.

We know pandemic is causing large-scale loss of life and severe human suffering globally. The world is facing an unprecedented test. And this is the moment of truth. The World Health Organization has confirmed that COVID-19 is pandemic in nature. Though originated in the Wuhan City of China has so far affected the people of 197 countries including Nepal. [1] Well, the impacts we are facing in the present condition will determine the situation of country after the pandemic is over. It has affected the economic aspects of the development of the country. The branches of development including agriculture, tourism, and industry are mostly affected. These factors will let us know what will be the condition of Nepal after COVID-19.

The main focus goes on the lifestyle of a person. Lockdown for the long term may affect our habits. The socio-economic condition of a normal person is somehow affected which will definitely change our lifestyle after the pandemic is over. The need to upgrade international standards for the hygiene, working conditions, and living facilities will be also affected. Moreover, energy and creativity are degraded.

While the first concern is public health, we may expect disruptions in the food supply chains. The shortage of fertilizers, veterinary medicines, and other input could affect agricultural production. Closures of restaurants and less frequent grocery shopping diminish demand for fresh produce and fisheries products, affecting producers and suppliers. Currently, some 820 million people around the world are experiencing chronic hunger, not eating enough caloric energy to live normal lives. Of these, 113 million are coping with acute severe insecurity, a hunger so severe that it poses an immediate threat to their lives or livelihoods and renders them reliant on external assistance to survive. [2] These obstructions in a healthy diet may lead to many long-term health hazards. The insufficiency of elements like protein, carbohydrate, fats may lead
to severe diseases. For example, Quarantines and panic during the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Sierra Leone (2014-2016), led to a spike in hunger and malnutrition. [3] The organization like FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization) is particularly concerned about the pandemic’s impacts on vulnerable communities. The small-scale farmers, pastoralists, and fishers who might be hindered from working on their land, caring for their livestock, or fishing have to face challenges accessing markets to sell their products or buy essential inputs. Mostly they have to struggle due to higher food prices and limited purchasing power. On the supply side, companies experience a reduction in the supply of labor. Many of the laborers will be hard hit by job and income losses in harvesting and processing. As the virus spreads and cases mount, there are countless ways the food systems at all levels will be tested and strained in the coming weeks and months.

The science and industry were not focused on any medicine or drug regarding the pandemic. However, the study after the crisis started has made many foundations and creations in the field of Science and Technology. The measures to support innovation can be fruitful in these conditions. China encouraged SMEs to engage in the innovation of technologies and products related to pandemic prevention and control. Why we are not concerned about the effects of this crisis after it’s over? There is no medicine or vaccine for use at this point in time. However, various studies have given a relief that it can be managed to some extent. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), for restricted public health use among the symptomatic Covid-19 patients, has approved Lopinavir/Ritonavir, a fixed-dose combination antiretroviral sold under the brand name of Kaletra. The Doctors have also recommended the use of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for the high-risk population. [4] It is the largest public health crisis in living memory, which has also generated a major economic crisis, with a halt in production in affected countries, a collapse in consumption and confidence, and stock exchanges responding negatively to heightened uncertainties. [5] There are several ways the coronavirus pandemic affects the economy, especially SMEs, on both the supply and demand sides. Considering the unparalleled and fast-evolving nature of the crisis, it is extremely challenging to estimate the impact of COVID-19 on international tourism. UNWTO (World Tourism Organization) is working closely with the World Health Organization. The problems in logistics associated with restriction in transportation, border closures, and the reduced demand in restaurants and hotels can generate significant market changes i.e. affecting prices. UNWTO estimates international tourist arrivals could decline by 20% to 30% in 2020. [5] This estimate is very true for Nepal since the decline in international tourist arrivals can lower our economy by a margin.

Looking after some background, the 2008 financial crisis showed the world what could happen when reduced income and uncertainty make people spend less and result in shrinking demand. Sales declined. So did production. In March, the OECD (Organization for Economic Co- operation and Development) cut its forecast for global economic growth in 2020 from 2.9 percent to 2.4 percent, which would be the lowest level since the financial crisis a decade ago, warning that a prolonged and more intensive coronavirus epidemic could even halve this figure to a mere 1.5 percent. [6] This data tells us what can be the condition of the developing countries after this ends. Moreover, there will be a significant devaluation of the exchange rate with respect to the US dollar, which will also affect the import-dependent countries. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reassessed the prospect for growth for 2020 and 2021, declaring that we have entered a recession – as bad as or worse than in 2009. [7]

Many countries have introduced SME specific policy measures. In order to ease future constraints, many countries have introduced measures towards the deferral of tax, social security payments, debt payments, rent, and utility payments. Several countries are providing grants and subsidies to SMEs and other companies to bridge the drop in revenues. Policy inputs like the formulation of wage support schemes and the provision of loan guarantees can be helpful for future days. It’s high time for human civilizations with the low point of self-esteem of survival but there is always a string of hope and faith with which humans can overcome any kind of battle.

What the world needs now is unity. With solidarity, we can defeat the virus and build a better world.
References:

  1. https://www.mygov.in/covid-19 (accessed on 9th April)
  2. http://www.fao.org/ (accessed on 10th April)
  3. World Health Organization (2016)- Report of Ebola (accessed on 10th April)
  4. URL:https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 (accessed on 10th April)
  5. Impact assessment of the COVID-19 outbreak on international tourism (accessed on 11th April)
  6. URL: http://www.oecd.org/coronavirus/ (accessed on 12th April)
  7. WHO.https://www.who.int/publications-detail/covid-19-operational-guidance- formaintaining-essential-health-services-during-an-outbreak (accessed on 12th April)
  8. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report – 70 (accessed on 12th April)

Moiz Khan, Bachelor in Pharmaceutical Sciences (7th Semester), School of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University, Dhungepatan, Pokhara-30, Kaski, Nepal

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Maternal, Newborn and Child HealthPH Important DayPublic Health

International Day of the Midwife 2020! Celebrate. Demonstrate. Mobilise. Unite.

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

International Day of the Midwife 2020! Celebrate. Demonstrate. Mobilise. Unite.

International Day of the Midwife is observed each year  on the 5th of May since 1992, ICM leads global recognition and celebration of the work of midwives. Midwives, women, girls, partners and supporters of midwives and midwifery globally come together to celebrate the International Day of the Midwife with their own activities, driven by one strong, collective voice.

Theme

The theme for The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) 2020 builds off the theme for the International Year of the Midwife 2020 – ‘Celebrate. Demonstrate. Mobilise. Unite.’ For IDM 2020, ICM will focus in more depth on how midwives and women can partner together to mobilise and unite toward a shared goal of gender equality.

Objectives

  • Inform everyone with an interest or background in health and justice that midwives are crucial to reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality
  • Celebrate  the achievements of midwives and their contribution to improving sexual, reproductive, maternal and newborn health outcomes
  • Motivate policymakers to implement change by lobbying for adequate midwifery resources and recognition of the unique professional role of midwives.

Message to Midwives 

  • Be bold and brave and speak up for women’s and girl’s rights in your countries and communities.
  • Fight injustices in every space you see them, from female genital mutilation, sexual violence, harassment and unfair and unequal treatment of women and girls.
  • Strengthen your partnerships with women as a vital part of delivering quality care and ensure respectful maternity care is central to their work.
  • Educate women on their rights to informed choice about their bodies and their lives which includes pregnancy, normal childbirth and contraception.
  • Encourage women to ask healthcare professionals questions about their decisions and not to be coerced into any early medical interventions.
  • Advocate equal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights for women and girls.

Source of info: ICM

 

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PH Important DayPublic HealthPublic Health Events

Hand Hygiene Day! Nurses and midwives, clean care is in your hands!

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

Hand Hygiene Day! Nurses and midwives, clean care is in your hands!

Hand Hygiene Day is celebrated every year on 5 May, Hand Hygiene Day mobilizes people around the world to increase adherence to hand hygiene in health care facilities, thus protecting health care workers and patients from infections.

“Make Handwashing a Habit!” – Global Hand washing Day 2016

This year, the campaign theme “SAVE LIVES: Clean your hands”, is aligned with the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, and aims to recognize nurses and midwives as front-line heroes who deserve acknowledgement and appreciation, and highlight their critical roles in infection prevention.

2020 Campaign Objectives

The main goal of the Global Hand Hygiene Day campaign is to recognize that handwashing is one of the most effective actions you can take to reduce the spread of pathogens and prevent infections, including the COVID-19 virus. Health workers and community members alike can play a role in preventing infections by practicing regular and frequent handwashing.

As part of the 2020 campaign, WHO and partners aim to:

  • Make hand hygiene a global priority
  • Inspire hand hygiene and behavior change
  • Engage with health care workers in their role in clean care and the prevention of infections.

The campaign also makes a call to action to policy-makers to provide safe work environments for nurses and improve staffing levels. Additionally, it calls on infection prevention and control leaders to empower nurses and midwives in providing clean care. The campaign also contributes to the United Nations Secretary General’s Global Call to Action on WASH in health care facilities.

#SafeHands Challenge #HandHygiene, #SupportNursesandMidwives.

Calls to action are:

  • Nurses: “Clean and safe care starts with you.”
  • Midwives: “Your hands make all the difference for mothers and babies.”
  • Policy Makers: “Increase nurse staffing levels to prevent infections and improve quality of care. Create the means to empower nurses and midwives.”
  • IPC Leaders: “Empower nurses and midwives in providing clean care.”
  • Patients and Families: “Safer care for you, with you.”

WHO

World Hand Hygiene Day!! SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands 5 May 2017 : ‘Fight antibiotic resistance – it’s in your hands’

5 moments for hand hygiene

Instant Hand Sanitizer (Alcohol Based) Standard 2076

The science of hand sanitizers

Global Handwashing Day 2019: ”Clean Hands for All”

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