PM administers polio drops to children

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Dec. 8: It seems Nepal is going to be a Polio free country by the year 2002. From the two polio cases spotted last year the country has now found only one case remaining this time. The only case was found in Nepalgunj.

Meanwhile, more than four million children of Nepal will be immunized against Polio tomorrow (Saturday). With the active initiation of Rotary International (RI) the country is observing the National Polio Immunization Day on Saturday. The RI has been observing the Polio Plus programme in Nepal since 1995 and last year it had immunized 3,850,000 children against Polio.

This time, in conjunction with World Health Organisation, Centre for Disease Control and Prevention of the US and UNICEF, the RI are planning to make the programme a success story by administering polio to 4 million Nepalese children at 23,000 booths and health centres established throughout the country.

The RI has provided one million dose to Nepal to make the Day a success. The RI has also provided one ambulance, two surveillance jeeps, eight Mitsubishi Pajeros 84 bicycles and some motorcycles for making the Polio Plus Programme a great success.

"During these four years of our effort of making Nepal a Polio free country like the Philippines we are proud to say that we have achieved 98 per cent success. There are now two years for us to immunize the disease from the country and we hope that we will be successful since the government has been very supportive and people have now become very conscious about the adverse effects of the disease on children under five years of age," secretary of National Polio Plus Programme Krishna Murari Timilsina informed the press today.

The RI, a service organisation spread to 162 countries with approximately 1.2 million members is observing its centenary in 2005 by marking the world a Polio free society. Once the Polio is eradicated the world will save an annual amount of US $ 1.5 billion which would otherwise be spent on polio treatment. The Organisation had started polio plus programme first in Phillipines in 1979. The Island is now a polio free country along with over 130 countries. There are now only about 25 countries to be declared polio free zones. The RI is all set to make the world a polio free society.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala initiated the Polio Plus Programme by administering the Polio drop to a child in Kathmandu this morning. The RI today honoured Prime Minister Koirala with Paul Harry Fellow award recognising his contribution in fighting against Polio in Nepal. The RI has awarded the Paul Harry Fellow award to many distinguished world leaders like US president Bill Clinton, French president Jack Chirac, former S. African president Nelson Mandela and former British Premier Mrs. Margaret Thacher.

Koirala to inaugurate Modi Khola hydel today

Pokhara, Dec. 8 (RSS): Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is scheduled to inaugurate the Modi Khola Hydroelectricity Project tomorrow.

All construction works including the trial production from the project have been completed so far. The project site is located on the bank of the Modi Khola river, a tributary of Kaligandaki River, lying between the 40-42 km portion of the Pokhara-Baglung road in Deupur VDC, Pokhara.

The project, that started in May 1996, involves a total investment of Rs. 2.1 billion.

The project has a total production capacity of 14.8 megawatt.

The electricity generated by the project costs four cents or 2 Rupees 80 Paise per unit, project director Bhoj Raj Regmee said.

Modi Khola Hydro Power Project, which is a run-off-the river type power project, has been designed by Hyundai Engineering Company under the technical cooperation of the Republic of Korea.

A total of 109 towers covering 37 km area have been installed to feed the 132 kv transmission line into Kundahar, Pokhara sub-station.

Electricity to be generated from tomorrow will be made available at the project area to some amount, it is learnt.

Under the project, a maximum 27.5 cubic metres of water per second will be discharged into a-20.5-metres wide intake and thereafter, released into a 250.29 meter long culvert up to a-154-metre long descending basin.

The water that emits after generating electricity will be released into the same river through a 281 metres long undergroud box culvert.

The project has already provided house-wiring, helper, vegetable cultivation and marketing training to the local families affected by the project some way or the other.

An arrangement has been made to supply electricity in Deupur, Tilahar, Duerali and bajung VDCs lying around the project areas and the rural electrification will be carried out by the concerned unit of NEA.

Compensation has already been provided to the families whose land had been acquired for the project and a regular follow-up will be made on mitigating the likely environmental impact from the project.

The project will also launch a tree plantation on about 18 hectares of land in and around the project site.

Ranabhat stresses laws, not change in constitution

Kathmandu, Dec. 8 (RSS): Speaker Taranath Ranabhat has said that the making of laws in accordance with the spirit of the constitution and their effective implementation are more essential than amending the constitution itself.

Speaking at a face-to-face programme organised by the Reporters’ Club here today, Speaker Ranabhat said wiping out social anomalies and aberrations will revive public aspirations and for this the determination and commitment of political parties is required, not amendment of the constitution.

An electoral government does not guarantee sound elections, for that purity of character and culture is necessary, he added.

Stating that free and fair elections are possible through an autonomous and well-equipped election commission, Mr Ranabhat expressed the view that the civil administration and police should function under the commission for a fixed period during elections.

He expressed the view that incorporation of all the people in the sweep of political and socio-economic development will check migration from the hills to the terai or to the cities and also obviate any controversy about the changing of electoral constituencies.

He also pointed out the need for national consensus among all political parties including the government and the main opposition in order to resolve the problems of revolutionary land reform, upliftment of ethnic communities and the like.

Leader of the Main Opposition Party Madhav Kumar Nepal said the CPN-UML reached the conclusion on the need to amend the constitution after finding that minor changes would make no difference.

Even though the present constitution, a result of the 1990 popular movement, has made the people sovereign, the general public has not yet derived the fruits of the constitution, he added.

The CPN-UML is a progressive party but those in favour of the status quo are always frightened of any amendments to the constitution. The rightists and ultra-leftists are taking advantage of such people, he added.

The CPN-UML has articulated the voice of the public by raising the issue of constitutional amendment and amendment is necessary for impartial elections and revolutionary land reforms, he added.

CPN-ML for improvement in multiparty system: Gautam

Kathmandu, Dec. 8 (RSS): Chairperson of the Communist Party of Nepal- Marxist and Leninist (CPN-ML) Sahana Pradhan inaugurated the national conference of the party at the Shahid Manch in Kathmandu, today.

Speaking on the occasion chairperson Pradhan said the CPN-ML is moving ahead with determination in order to remove deviations and anomalies existing in the democracy system at present.

She said her party is moving ahead in the direction of revolutionary changes in the country and an active left movement for the Nepali people.

Party General Secretary Bamdev Gautam said the CPN-ML has emerged as a big force and nobody can defeat it.

He said his party is for improvement in the present multiparty system with the intention of enabling maximum participation by the people.

General Secretary Gautam said his party is moving ahead for improvement in the present constitution towards proportionate representation for all parties in parliament, direct election of the prime minister through direct adult franchise for all Nepali citizens completing 18 years of age, and the building of a mixed economy.

He also expressed the view that his party will forge working unity with as many parties as possible even if no party unity is possible in order to establish a people’s democratic system by defeating the reactionaries and moving the movement ahead.

Party politburo member C.P. Mainali said the party is struggling for change in society, employment for the people and for the protection of the national heritage by upholding the gallant history of forefathers and making use of the achievements of democracy for the progress and prosperity of various communities.

Extending best wishes at the conference, Speaker Taranath Ranabhat pointed out the need for political parties now active in the country to move ahead for the welfare of the established system that was restored by the Nepali people.

President of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party Surya Bahadur Thapa expressed the view that all the parties should unite to meet the requirements of national politics.

NC General Secretary Sushil Koirala said as it has been proved that there is no alternative to democracy in the world all the parties have a major responsibility to protect and promote democracy in the country.

Representatives of various political parties expressed their best wishes for the conference.

On the occasion, politburo members of the party Radha Krishna Mainali and Shambhuram Shresthasha honoured members of 16 martyr families by wrapping shawls around them.

Various cultural pageants had been presented by various districts.

Earlier, a huge rally had gone through Putali Sadak, Bhadrakali, Basantapur, Nardevi, Chhetrapati, Thahity and Ason and converged at the Shahid Manch.

Trained manpower vital to fight TB: Rodrigo

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Dec. 8: In view of identifying areas of operational research for strengthening the Tuberculosis control programme in the entire SAARC nations, a three-day "Expert Meeting for Standardising Training Curriculum and Workshop on Operational Research" began here today.

The meeting coincides with the SAARC Charter Day that falls on December 8. The SAARC Charter was signed in Dhaka on December 8, 1985.

Delegates from all the member countries of SAARC are participating in the meeting and workshop that concludes on December 10.

Addressing the inaugural session of the meeting, Padma Prasad Pokhrel, Secretary at the Ministry of Health, said that the TB is a major public health problem in Nepal.

Pokhrel, who was also the chief guest, said the National TB Programme is being launched throughout the country to fight the disease.

He expressed the hope that the meeting and workshop of experts of the region would provide effective and valuable recommendations for controlling the TB in the entire region.

On the occasion of SAARC Charter Day, he also released a book that contains information about the TB and ways to control it.

Speaking at the function, Nihal Rodrigo, Secretary General of the SAARC Secretariat, said that the trained manpower is an important component to fight the disease.

Rodrigo also said the training curriculum should be sound and relevant so as to effectively launch activities to control the disease. He emphasised the need to make united efforts in this regard.

He informed that the SAARC Secretariat and WHO have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to control the TB and HIV/AIDS.

Dr. B. D. Chataut, Director General of the Department of Health Services, said that the training and research are helpful in fighting the disease.

Dr. Chataut, who chaired the session, said the meeting of experts would provide valuable recommendations to successfully conduct anti-TB programmes in the region.

Delivering a welcome speech, Dr. Dirgh Singh Bam, Director of the SAARC Tuberculosis Center (STC), said that the member countries of SAARC have realised the seriousness of the problem of TB.

"The member countries have accorded high priority for TB control before WHO declared this as global emergency."

Dr. Bam informed that more than 2.5 million new cases of TB come up every year with about 0.6 million deaths in the SAARC nations.

He also said the STC that was established in 1990 has been supporting the member countries by conducting training programmes, seminars and workshops to control the TB and HIV/AIDS.

He said that the systematic measures to control the TB have been applied through network of general health institutions scattered in all the member countries.

According to him, about 78 per cent of the populations have been covered under DOTS in Nepal and the success and detention rates stand at 89 and 67 per cent respectively.

On behalf of participants, Dr. A. K. M. Fazul Haque, who comes from Bangladesh, said that the meeting and workshop would play a pivotal role to review and formulate the training curriculum for health workers involved in the TB control.

Dr. Haque also informed that Bangladesh has covered 95 per cent of the total populations with DOTS and the treatment success rate has reached 82 per cent.

Dr. Prahlad Kumar, Deputy Director of the STC, extended the vote of thanks.

Savar meet endorses People’s Health Charter

BY AMBAR MAINALI

Savar, Dhaka, Dec. 8: The People’s Health Assembly-2000 concluded today with the endorsement of the People’s Health Charter, which calls upon the people and governments from all over the world to put health above all political and economic concerns.

Begum Khaleda Zia, leader of the opposition, Bangladesh Jatio Sangshad, delivered her address at the closing of the PHA-2000.

Zia said in her address "Health for All" was a kind of dreamy programme which was initiated in 1978 but this happy dream is yet to be implemented.

She said that the minimum healthcare had not been yet ensured despite the growing number of clinics constructed for rich people.

"This is not acceptable and the existing situation must be changed," she said.

Health care is not a commodity that people have to buy at a competitive price. It is a basic need and right for all, Zia said and added that the PHA-2000 revealed the commitments of the nations around the world to keep on pushing forward the campaign to materialise the dream of "Health for All."

The preamble of the People’s Health Charter endorsed today has stated that health is a social, economic and political issue and above all a fundamental human right. Inequality, poverty, exploitation, violence and injustice are at the root of ill-health and the deaths of poor and marginalised people.

Health for all means that powerful interests have to be challenged, that globalisation has to be opposed, and political and economic priorities have to be drastically changed, the premable has stated.

The Charter builds on perspectives of people whose voices have rarely been heard before. It encourages people to develop their own solutions and to hold accountable local authorities, national governments, international organisations and corporations."

Pointing at the health crisis, the Charter has stated that the world’s resources are increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few who strive to maximise their private profit. Neoliberal political and economic policies are made by a small group of powerful governments, and by international institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organisation.

"These policies, together with the unregulated activities of transnational corporations, have had severe effects on the lives and livelihoods, health and wellbeing of people in both North and South."

The Charter calls on the people of the world to demand for the transformation of the global trading system so that it ceases to violate social, environmental, economic and health rights of people and begins to discriminate positively in favour of countries of the South.

The Charter has focused on a people-centered health sector and has appealed the people all over the globe to oppose international and national policies that privatise health care and turn it into a commodity.

It also appeals the people to demand for a radical transformation of the World Health Organisation (WHO) so that it responds to health challenges in a manner which benefits the poor, avoids vertical approaches, ensures intersectoral work, involves people’s organisations in the World Health Assembly and ensures independence from corporate interests.

The idea of the People’s Health Assembly (PHA) was discussed for more than a decade. In 1998 a number of organisations launched the PHA process and started to plan a large International Assembly. The Charter incorporates the views of citizens and people’s organisations from around the world.

There were 74 participants from Nepal at the PHA-2000 representing different NGOs working in the health sector.

SAARC instrumental for meaningful cooperation: PM

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Dec. 8: Fifteen years ago the Charter of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation was signed by the Heads of State or Government of the seven countries of South Asia in Dhaka establishing the regional association and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said the Association has been instrumental in promoting conditions for meaningful regional co-operation.

Speaking at a function today to mark the SAARC Charter Day and the Fifteenth anniversary of the signing of the Charter, Prime Minister Koirala said the progress and achievements made by SAARC in the last 15 years has, by and large, been impressive and there are reasons to be optimistic.

The function was hosted by Nihal Rodrigo, Secretary-General of SAARC at the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu today.

Prime Minister Koirala said SAPTA (South Asian Preferential Trading Arrangement) has been set into motion and transition towards SAFTA (South Asian Free Trading Area) is gathering pace with the ultimate goal of a South Asian Economic Union. He also said non-state actors continue to provide soul to the SAARC process.

The Prime Minister said despite many important social and economic agenda, including that of poverty alleviation, remaining in the priority list of SAARC, much remain to be achieved. "Co-operation in substantive areas of economic and trade has of late been intensified but deeper regional economic integration is still to materialise."

The Prime Minister said acting together in greater co-operation within the strengthened framework of SAARC and with the undiminished commitment to the ideals of its Charter we can succeed in surmounting these challenges in the days ahead.

In this context, Prime Minister said, it is encouraging to note that the meeting of SAARC Senior Officials in Colombo has recommended a timeframe for the meetings of various technical committees. Once this cycle is complete, we hope that the Charter bodies will meet to take necessary decision on the recommendation and provide instruction and guidelines for future action.

At the function the SAARC Secretary General Nihal Rodrigo read out a message from Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, President of Sri Lanka and the current chairperson of the Association.

In her message, the SAARC Chairperson said the past fifteen years have witnessed the steady growth of SAARC, initially from an organisation which focused on technical issues into one that is looking towards the ultimate goal of establishing a South Asian free trade area, while also addressing major issues such as poverty alleviation, terrorism, drug trafficking and those related to vulnerable segments of society, women and children in particular.

She said SAARC has also reached out to other regional groups and formally established links with organisations such as EU, CIDA, UNESCO, ESCAP, UNCTAD, WHO, UNDP and also with Japan which provides funds for specific SAARC activities.

She said the last month’s extraordinary meeting of the SAARC senior officials’ in Sri Lanka was process to move the regional organisation forward. She also said the next summit meeting in Kathmandu will work out new strategies for SAARC and she said she was looking forward for the Kathmandu summit meeting.

The SAARC Secretariat had also organised a children’s art competition to mark the SAARC Charter Day. In the competition Gineez Singh of Kanya Secondary School, Yamuna Pun of Siddhartha Vanasthali Institute, Roshni Shahi of Bhanubhakta Memorial High School, Rajan Rai of Buddha Academy, Shilpa Chand and Shreeansh Agrawal of Alok Vidhyashram won prizes in the competition. Prime Minister Koirala gave away prizes to the winning children.

The function was attended by ministers, MPs, members of the diplomatic corps, businesspersons, professionals and people from different other sectors.