The Nepal Medical Association (NMA) has requested the people to treat common cold at home and advised them to go to hospital only if condition worsens or in case of emergency.
Issuing a statement, the umbrella organization of doctors in Nepal has even advised hospitals to postpone non-essential surgeries.
It has also urged big hospitals with over 100 beds to operate fever clinic with equipment for personal safety, and gradually cut non-essential services including surgeries and treatment, and save materials to tackle the pandemic.
"Do arrange for personal safety of health professionals, and take necessary steps to reduce unnecessary crowd at the hospitals and treatment centers," the statement reads. "Don't operate general health clinic for now, and stop dental care apart from emergency cases."
The Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) has also urged the commoners to not go to the hospital unless there is an emergency. It has started a separate fever clinic for those suffering from fever, common cold and respiratory problems. It has stopped non-essential surgeries and requested only one visitor for every admitted patient.
Chest specialist at the TUTH Dr Santa Kumar Das stressed that the role of people is important in these times even though the government has to lead the efforts for treatment. "Social distancing is the most important thing. The government has already said don't go to public places, many persons should not gather at a place. One should, therefore, not go out of home for non-essential works," he elaborated. "Don't use public vehicles as far as possible. Wait for non-crowded vehicles if you have to."
Pointing that the disease has spread more from hospitals, he requested people to not go to hospitals for minor problems. "One can stay at home and take paracetamol if there is common cold and fever. Go to health institutions only if there is difficulty in breathing, blood is seen in sputum and the chest stiffens."
