Interaction program with elected members of the National Assembly on COVID-19 vaccinations and risk communications

Kathmandu: The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), Country Office for Nepal, and in coordination with the National Assembly held an interaction program with elected members of the National Assembly on COVID-19 vaccination, risk communication, and community engagement at Kathmandu today.

The event, the latest in a series of engagement programs with parliamentarians from national and provincial assemblies, seeks to highlight the role of lawmakers in promoting vaccine uptake, increasing public adherence to health and social measures, challenges presented by non-communicable diseases, and disseminating accurate and scientific information to the public, particularly during health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program was jointly inaugurated by Rt. Honourable Chairperson of the National Assembly, Mr Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, and Honorable Minister of Health, Mr Birodh Khatiwada, who presided over the inaugural session. Honourable Deputy Chairperson of the National Assembly, Ms Shashikala Dahal; Secretary of the MoHP, Dr Roshan Pokhrel; and WHO Representative to Nepal, Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, were in attendance.   

In his keynote address Rt. Honourable Chairperson remarked on how these interaction programs have made him realize the role of elected and appointed officials in influencing the health of people.

“We have realized the weight of our words. I urge my colleagues present here today to speak about vaccination and its importance whenever you are engaging with your constituents. If we play our part, then we can guarantee that Nepal will achieve its national COVID-19 vaccination target earlier than the set deadline,” said Rt. Honourable Chairperson Timilisina.

Honourable Health Minister Mr Khatiwada expressed his gratitude to the Rt. Honourable Chairperson for his support in implementing the program and urged the parliamentarians to provide further support in helping the  Government attain its goal of vaccinating all populations above the age of 12 by mid-April. 

“I am pleased to note that Nepal has achieved many milestones already with regards to the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. WHO has also acknowledged this. Now in order to ensure success of vaccination campaigns at the most local level, we need your support,” said Honorable Minister Khatiwada.

WHO Representative to Nepal, Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, in his address highlighted WHO’s collaboration with parliamentarians at a global level.  

“WHO collaborates with the International Parliamentary Union and this series of meetings here in Nepal captures the spirit of mutual respect and collaboration between WHO and parliamentarians,” said Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, adding, “The role of parliamentarians and parliaments is critical for societies, countries, provinces, and cities to internalize the lessons from COVID 19 and to devise remedies.”

The spokesperson of the MoHP and Chief of the Health Coordination Division, Dr Sangita Kaushal Mishra, delivered the welcome remarks. Chief of Health Emergency Operation Center (HEOC) and Joint Spokesperson of the MoHP, Dr Sameer Kumar Adhikari, facilitated the program and moderated discussions between participants and various experts. 

Senior officials from the Health Ministry and WHO, Country Office for Nepal, conducted sessions on effective risk communication and community engagement, the science behind COVID-19, national COVID-19 vaccination strategy, noncommunicable diseases, and the role of elected officials in achieving nationwide COVID-19 vaccination coverage.

With today’s session, the briefing of the parliamentarians of the Upper House of Nepal has been completed. Similar briefings were held with the honourable members of Karnali Province Assembly and Sudurpaschim Province Assembly on 25 and 27 February respectively at Surkhet and Dhangadhi. The series kicked off in Pokhara with a landmark briefing of the Speakers, Deputy Speakers, and Secretaries of all seven Province Assemblies of Nepal on 19 February.