Health Minister Giri takes stock of situation of measles in Banke

Minister for Health and Population Padam Giri has carried out a field inspection in Banke district to take stock of the situation of measles. He reached the basic health centre in Nepalgunj Sub Metropolitan City-5 and inquired about patients, and pledged that the government would do its best in controlling the disease.

Asking local people to get vaccinated against the disease, he said the government would expedite the vaccination campaign against it.

He urged local people’s representatives in helping control the disease as they are supposed to play an important role in making vaccination campaign effective.

Present on the occasion were lawmakers Surya Dhakal, Dhawal Shumsher Rana and Dipa Sharma, secretary at the Ministry Dr Roshan Pokharel, Director General of the Ministry’s division Dr Dipendra Raman Singh, Chief of the Policy and Planning Division Dr Krishna Paudel, Director of the Province Health Dr Binod Giri and Deputy Director Dr Roshan Lal Chaudhary, and Chief of the Health Office, Banke Sunita Paudel.

Two hundred and sixty people in five local levels in the district are affected by measles. The highest number of infection is in Nepalgunj. Two hundred and three people are suffering from the disease here.

It is said among the affected people, 196 have got well and 63 are under treatment while one person has died, the District Health Office stated.

Sixty-eight thousand 221 people in the district have been vaccinated against measles whereas 48 thousand 822 remain to be innoculated.

The Health and Population Minister also inspected the Bheri Hospital today. On the occasion, he talked to the patients and visited the different wards. Minister Giri also acquired information about the management of hospital waste.

Hospital’s Medical Superintendent Dr Badri Chapagain briefed the Minister about the situation of Hospital and its activities.