Dolpa- The number of people showing the COVID-19-like symptoms has increased in Upper Dolpa. The Dolpo Janajati Development Center said the cases of fever; common cold and cough are on the rise at Dolpo Buddha, Shey Phoksundo and Chharka Tansong rural municipalities. The three local governments have, through the Center, written to the Ministry of Health and Population, informing about the situation.

“Earlier, four employees of Dolpo Buddha here were taken to Surkhet on a helicopter and they later tested positive for the virus. The flight was arranged by the local government itself. The matter was informed to the province and federal government as well, but the local levels here were given no support from any of the state apparatus for the contact tracing and the testing,’’ the letter states.

The Upper Dolpa folks have no access to medical oxygen, personal protective materials and even general medicines useful in the management of the virus. Center Chair Gyalpo Thapa Bhote lamented that the frequent calls for providing basic health needs against the virus were turned to a deaf ear by the people in the federal and province governments. “The gravity of the situation is overlooked.’’
Dolopo Buddha chair Temba Gurung reiterated the demand for ensuring basic but essential medical supplies to the Upper Dolpa when the outbreak of COVID-19 was highly suspected in this high-altitude settlement in the Karnali Province.

The local levels here have demanded 400-450 kgs of medicines and COVID-19 testing kits immediately. They advised for using a helicopter for the transportation of supplies as it takes a longer time to use mules which are prominently used here as means of transportation due to the very limited access to motor roads.