DRRM
February 7, 2022, Chainpur, Sankhuwasabha
As part of its ongoing COVID-19 Risk Reduction Project, National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD), officially handed over an oxygen generation plant to Chainpur Hospital in Chainpur Municipality, Sankhuwasabha District. The handover ceremony, held on February 7, 2022, was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NBI, Chainpur Municipality, and Chainpur Hospital, formalizing the transfer of ownership and operational responsibility of the plant to the hospital.
About the Event
The installation of the oxygen plant was initiated in response to a formal request from Chainpur Municipality, as the region grappled with severe oxygen shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic had claimed numerous lives in the area due to the lack of adequate medical oxygen supply. Recognizing the urgent need, NBI, through its Establishment of Multi-sector Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (EMPD) project, procured and installed a 6 cubic meter per hour capacity oxygen generation plant, sufficient to support a 50-bed hospital facility. The equipment was supplied and installed by Edgelead International Pvt. Ltd. during the final week of January 2022.
Chainpur Hospital serves not only the residents of Sankhuwasabha but also patients from neighboring districts, including Taplejung, owing to improved road connectivity in the region.
Highlights
The handover program was facilitated by Mr. Tanka Rokka, Officer (5th Level) of Chainpur Municipality, and attended by 16 participants, including municipal representatives, hospital officials, local journalists, and project partners.
Key remarks from distinguished guests:
-
Mr. Bharat Kumar Khatri, Mayor of Chainpur Municipality, reflected on the devastating impact of COVID-19 and highlighted that Chainpur was among the first local governments in Nepal to establish an isolation center for COVID patients. He shared plans to bring medical experts to the hospital regularly and appealed for further support to establish an oxygen filling station.
-
Ms. Muna Shrestha, Deputy Mayor, extended thanks to NBI and A-PAD and requested assistance for an oxygen filling station to ensure sustainable oxygen supply.
Key Learnings and Recommendations
- Nepal's health system continues to require substantial strengthening
- Add an oxygen filling station to benefit surrounding municipalities
- Health infrastructure exists but equipment & professionals remain limited in rural areas
- Periodic NBI follow-up to ensure proper plant use and service accessibility
- Every local-level hospital should have an in-house oxygen generation plant
- Continue monitoring for sustainable operation
Glimpses
