On 6/13/2021, I had an opportunity to coordinate and moderate a meeting regarding COVID Vaccine.
The main agenda of the meeting was to bring various involved parties on the same table and get connected. The participants of the meeting were Honorable Health Minister Mr Sher Bahadur Tamang His excellency Ambassador Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada, Former Deputy executive director of UNICEF Kul Chandra Gautam Director General of Ministry of Health and Population of Nepal Dr. DipendraRaman Singh Chief of National Immunization ( Nepal )Dr.Jhalak Gautam, Jyoti Lama ( MoHP ), Dr Bhupesh Khadka ( President ANMF ), Mahabir Pun ( NIC, Founder/President ), Dr Santosh Sapkota ( NIC, Past President ANMF ), Mr Homkanta Bhandari, ( Nepal Embassy, US ), Dipendra Gyawali ( MOderna Scientist ), Dr. Santosh Shah ( J & J , Manager ), Suman R. Timsina ( IDI ),
I would like to applaud Health Minister’s determination and his commitment in efforts to acquire Covid vaccine for Nepal. He has reassured us that budget has been already allocated and Nepal will be willing to purchase the vaccine as soon as it is available. He has also reached out for help from concerned parties to expedite the availability of vaccine. Chief Vaccine Officer Dr Jhalak Gautam and Director General Dr Dipendra Raman Singh briefed about the logistics including Nepal’s vaccine storage capacity and ability to administer vaccine in timely manner.
Nepali Embassy US is also exploring all avenues and working closely with State Department and vaccine manufacturers. Thank you, your Excellency Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada for your leadership and also would like to thank Mr Homkanta Bhandariji for coordinating the Covid response.
Thank you, Kul Chandra Gautam Dai for your guidance and readiness to reach out to international organizations (UN, UNICEF, WHO, World bank etc) using your personal connections to help in whatever way possible. You are a great asset for all of us.
President of NIC (National Innovation Center) Mahabir Pun and Dr Santosh Sapkota have been working tirelessly and deserve a big applaud for their hard work and selfless service. Recently their team has delivering 50 ventilators to Nepal government. During the meeting they have expressed their willingness to help transport vaccines to remote part of the country.
Mr Suman Timsina,executive director at International Development Institute, is a well renowned social activist and his contributions in COVID response is unparalleled.
Mr Dipendra Gyawali is a scientist at Moderna and Dr Santosh Shah is a manager at Janssen/Frontage labs (Johnson&Johnson). We are highly indebted to their commitment and eagerness to assist MOH and concerned parties in making right connections and facilitating the process of procuring the vaccine.
Dr Bhupesh Khadka,emphasized on importance of pursuing on AstraZenica vaccine once it is approved by FDA as in Nepal 1.8 million people are waiting for 2nd dose of AZ. Advocacy on different stage is going on for the same. I have also been actively involved in advocating for AZ vaccine as well as Janssen vaccine and already reached out to Senator Brown (Democrat) and Senator Robert Portman (Republican) as well as Congressman Brad Wrenstrup and Governor Mike Dewine’s Offices. I would like to thank State Representative Mark Johnson and Councilman Bhuwan Pyakurel for connecting me.
Although Dr Sanju Mahato could not attend the meeting, I would like to thank her for connecting me with Dipendra and Santosh.