As Nepal suffers through a devastating second wave of COVID-19 infections, Ipas Nepal has again stepped up to donate personal protective equipment (PPE) to health-care workers on the frontlines of the pandemic.
Dr. Popular Gentle, director of Ipas Nepal, says that, with thousands of coronavirus infections daily, there is a shortage of hospital beds, oxygen, medicines and other basic care items across the country. “Travel is restricted, and sexual and reproductive health services have been suspended at major hospitals and health facilities. Where those services are available, health-care workers are in need of personal protective equipment so they can continue to provide care.”
Ipas Nepal staff gathered with Ministry of Health and Population officials in Lumbini Province on April 28 to donate 40,000 face masks and 200 liters of sanitizer for use by frontline health workers. The donation was a joint effort with other groups affiliated with the Association of International NGOs (AIN).
This marks the second donation of PPE Ipas Nepal has made since the pandemic began, with the earlier effort focused on deliveries to extremely remote and isolated districts. The PPE went to workers at 43 hospitals and 256 health posts, in addition to more than 3,000 Female Community Health Volunteers in five provinces. “It was a boost to their morale and helped them continue providing safe abortion and contraception services,” says Dr. Gentle.
He adds that Ipas Nepal will continue to look for ways to raise more funds for its response to COVID-19, which has infected some Ipas Nepal staff and family members of staff, and has even reached the country’s famed Mount Everest.
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