The global pandemic of new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is becoming more concerning. There are more than 8.7 million cases globally as of June 21, 2020, with 460 000 fatalities. Nepal is not immune to COVID-19, and the country is presently grappling with the disease’s spread. Analysis of identified cases, severity, and outcomes within a nation is critical in order to have a clear picture of where the pandemic is headed and what steps should be done to stop it before it becomes uncontrollable. The government of Nepal has imposed a countrywide lockdown and activated its federal, provincial, and local level procedures to respond to the crisis, aware of its weaknesses.

Here, the role of the Nepalese government is very vital to control the COVID-19 by providing various health facilities to the overall citizens of Nepal. COVID-19 has already spread throughout Nepal, with a significant increase in the number of new cases and deaths, which is concerning in a low-income nation like Nepal with an insufficient healthcare system.

Immediate life-saving requirements have been found in vaccinations, oxygen, testing supplies, skilled human resources, and critical care medications and supplies. The humanitarian community is assisting the government in meeting these critical requirements as well as preventing and mitigating negative health consequences. Hospitals in Kathmandu and other towns are already overcrowded, and patients are being turned away owing to a lack of beds. Across the country, critical supply shortages, including oxygen, have been observed. Human resource capability to operate ventilators and offer ICU case care in rural health institutions is an important problem that must be addressed in order to effectively react to severe COVID-19 patients across the country.

Despite the fact that the government imposed early school closures and lockdowns, the administration of COVID-19 appears to be inadequate. Understanding the present COVID-19 status in Nepal is critical for determining the best course of action for disease management.

Nepal has chosen to seal its international borders and put the country on lockdown until June 14, 2020. (74 days). In addition, the government developed a COVID-19 crisis management system, which included temporary hospitals, quarantine, isolation, and critical care unit beds in each province and was advised by specialists from several industries. The Government of Nepal fulfilled its duty but not to the extended form, temporary hospitals, quarantine halls, vaccines, etc. were provided. However, prompt and effective response to a highly infectious disease or a new pandemic is unlikely due to the uncontrollable increase in COVID-19 cases, and because the government was not fully prepared for the immediate management of a large number of people with a highly infectious disease due to our inadequate budget allocation.

But, the unstable government was seen during the time of the pandemic, which was not at all expected by everyone. On one hand, there have been various changes in the parliament and on the other hand, the people of Nepal are facing various health problems because of the pandemic. Government bodies should be involved in early detection, contact tracing, and isolation of suspicious persons, while the general population should focus on following government guidelines, such as appropriate cough etiquette, regular handwashing, and physical separation.

While it is critical to strengthen the existing health system to handle the situation in the event of a sudden outbreak, standardize quarantine facilities, and provide immediate relief to the most vulnerable, it is also critical to assist the country in mitigating socio-economic impacts and preparing for longer-term recovery. COVID instances are now being reported across the country because of a lack of effective execution of the methods and policies needed to combat the pandemic. There are some of the efforts done by the government of Nepal to protect the citizens from the pandemic and they are as follows:

1. Tracing Contacts

The government of Nepal has put up a mechanism to check people arriving in Kathmandu by car or air from other areas of the nation or from outside. Passengers with symptoms were brought straight to approved COVID facilities, where they were hospitalized, tested, and treated properly.

2. Testing Methodologies

Along with the Patan Hospital and the Armed Police Forces Hospital, the GoN selected the Sukraraj Infectious and Tropical Disease Hospital (SITDH) in Kathmandu as the major hospital for COVID treatment. In addition, the government set aside particular areas around the country for quarantine reasons.

3. Public Awareness and Information Campaign

In the battle against COVID-19, the Nepalese government began creating and executing information and awareness campaigns in partnership with a variety of sectors (both commercial and public) and other stakeholders. Several public awareness efforts were launched using text, audio, and video media such as newspapers, flyers, radio, and television to break the transmission cycle.

4. Quarantine and Isolation Centers Management 

Institutional quarantine facilities have been set up with the help of local governments at schools, campuses, hostels, hotels, and other lodging facilities, while isolation facilities have been set up by province governments and different public and private hospitals around the country. Due to a lack of appropriate coordination amongst stakeholders, the government’s method for monitoring quarantine is ineffective in many locations.

Thus, the government of Nepal is trying to save its citizens from the pandemic but there are various other factors that are being hampered like the politics of the country (to the full extent) and others. Because of the unstable government, various problems are arising. If there will be a stable government and all facilities are provided by the government to the people then all other sectors can be balanced. The government of Nepal must respond seriously to the pandemic issue for the time being rather than making history in politics.