Elephantiasis on rise in Nepal

Bhaktapur, Apr. 5 (RSS): The disease of elephantiasis is on the rise in Nepal as the Ministry of Health has not been giving proper attention to the treatment of the patients suffering from the disease and treating it as an ordinary disease, according to a research study being conducted here.

The disease of elephantiasis or lymphatic filariasis is easily transmitted by a culex, a female mosquito from a patient suffering from elephantiasis to a healthy person.

According to experts, elephantiasis is transmitted to a healthy person if the culex mosquito bites a healthy person on his artery. This after being bitten by culex, obstruction is caused in the flow of blood in the artery resulting in swelling of the lower part of the body, the experts say.

The disease of lymphatic filariasis is transmitted to a person by a parasite known as wucheria bancrofti.

After a person suffers from lymphatic filariasis, the hands and legs swell, a milky substance is visible in urine, the breasts become flabby, the testicles swell and the patient starts suffering from continuous fever.

After the World Health Organization acknowledged lymphatic filariasis as a major problem of public health in 1999 and pledged to eradicate the disease by 2015, a detailed survey and research on the disease was carried out in Nepal.

The communicable and contagious disease research center with the cooperation of the lymphatic filariasis support center of the liverpool school of tropical medicine, United Kingdom and the World Health Organization had conducted a detailed survey and research on the disease in 37 districts of Nepal.

A research team led by executive director of communicable and contagious disease research center and chief of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Public Health Research Laboratory Reader Dr. Jeevan Bahadur Sherchand had examined 4,488 people of 37 districts and found 582 people suffering from second phase lymphatic filariasis.

The research team comprising representatives of the VDRTC and epideology and Disease Control Division of His Majesty’s Government had conducted a detailed survey and research for more than six months.

According to Dr. Sherchand, most of the lymphatic filariasis patients were found in Katunje and Duwakot villages of Bhaktapur, the old areas of Kathmandu including Tokha and Gorkarna, Dupche of Nuwakot and Bardiya district.

At present lymphatic filariasis has spread in 67 districts and malaria in 63 districts of the Kingdom of Nepal, Dr. Sherchand said.

The disease is detected after conducting blood tests of people suffering from swollen hands and legs, he added.

Dr. Sherchan said that national strategy for controlling the spread of lymphatic filariasis has been prepared and handed over to His Majesty’s Government.

Dr. Sherchand says that a well planned system for identification and treatment of patients suffering from lymphatic filariasis will commence in 2003.

End ME violence for children: UNICEF

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Apr. 5: With the unprecedented escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the United Nations Children’s Fund is deeply concerned by the extensive use of violence by both sides and its immediate and long-term effects on children. Over the last weeks, Israelis and Palestinians have terrorised each other’s communities, without regard for homes, schools, health centres and other public spaces where children are present. The impact of escalating violence on children’s rights and well-being is both immense and lasting, UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy has said.

UNICEF calls for an immediate end to the violence. The psychological and social impact of armed conflict on children is incalculable. Traumatic events such as the death or injury of family and friends, house-to-house searches, and the humiliating round-up and detention of fathers and brothers cause irreparable damage to children’s confidence in adults; increase their acceptance of violence as an adequate method for resolving problems; and dim their hope in the future. No lasting peace can be built upon such foundations.

In the immediate absence of a cease-fire, UNICEF strongly reiterates the need for both sides to abide by international humanitarian law, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child. UNICEF urges all parties to ensure that children are not targeted and enjoy protection under all circumstances. UNICEF calls for immediate bans on the use of ammunition against children and on the destruction of homes, schools and health facilities.

UNICEF is disturbed by the confinement of Palestinian families at home under curfew, many without water, electricity or gas and with food stocks rapidly running out. Children are being denied access to health services, and are unable to attend school and engage in social activity. UNICEF calls for the full co-operation of Israeli authorities in ending the curfews and guaranteeing women and children safe access to basic needs such as water, food, health services and education.

The current situation threatens the ability of UNICEF and other UN and international agencies to carry out their mandate in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Over the last five days UN humanitarian agencies have been denied safe access to affected Palestinian communities, making it nearly impossible to deliver crucial aid. UNICEF calls for immediate access to vulnerable communities suffering under curfews and military incursions.

UNICEF urges both sides to step back and consider the tragic effect their actions are having on all the children of the Middle East. If today’s generation does not have the opportunity to grow up in an atmosphere of trust, tolerance and justice, there can be little hope for stability in the region. It is the responsibility of Israeli and Palestinian adults to denounce violence and move toward peaceful solutions that offer real hope to their children and to future generations.

FNCCI to mark Industry, Commerce Day on April 10

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, April 5:The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) – the apex body of the private sector - is observing this year’s "Industry and Commerce Day" with the theme "Peace and Security for Development".

FNCCI has decided to award the FNCCI National Excellence Award to various personalities and institutions contributing to the promotion of trade and industry in the country on the occasion.

Rajendra Khetan, second vice president of the federation, informing the media said that the Industry and Commerce Day on April 10 would bring the people closer.

The government should recognise the Industry and Commerce Day so that people across the country are aware of the importance of trade and commerce says Khetan. FNCCI has requested the Ministry of Information and Communications to issue a postage stamp to commemorate the event of the day.

"It is not only an occasion to celebrate but also an opportunity to identify ourselves," said Khetan. Referring to the various programmes introduced by the FNCCI, he said, "We are committed to hammering out solutions to tackle the present problem of peace and security."

The FNCCI will award industries on the basis of their performance. None of the industries met the criteria for the excellence award last year.

Five out of the 16 industries shortlisted for the excellence award were presented commendation letters last year.

FNCCI began observing Industry and Commerce Day since last year.

FNCCI was established in 2022 BS. It was registered in 2025 under the National Directive Act – 2018. FNCCI has district office in all the 75 districts. Besides, the federation has established bilateral relations with a number of international chambers, including Nepal EU economic forum, Nepal Pakistan Economic Group and Nepal Japan Economic Forum.

Mahottari DEO suspends eight SLC invigilators

Mahottari, Apr. 5 (RSS): The District Education Office has suspended eight invigilators of Manara examination centre on the charge of carrying out irregularities during the S.L.C. exminations.

The suspended invigilators are Rajesh Shrestha of Bairmara Primary School, Bijaya Raya of Lochana Primary School, Shobha Kant Jha of Sanskriti Secondary School, Hari Prasad Yadav of Khesaraha Secondary School, Jitendra Verma of Allhelp Boarding School, Jaleswore, Raghebindra Pandeya of Jaleswore-10 Primary School, Lalbabu Yadav of Maistan Primary School and Jagadish Prasad Saha of Tilgadh Primary School.

Similarly, Janakpurdham, in three invigilators of the SLC examinations were expelled from three centres of Janakpurdham today on the fourth day of the examinations, District Education Officer Mohan Prasad Upadhyaya said.

They were expelled for working in contravention to the rules and regulations, it is learnt.

One invigilator each of the Janaki High School Examination Centre, Saraswati High School Centre and Kanya High School Centre have been expelled.

As four invigilators were expelled earlier yesterday, the number of those expelled has now reached 7.

Meanwhile, in Syangja, five students appearing in the S.L.C examination from the Roshani Boarding Secondary School examination center, Syangja District today have been suspended for one year for violating examination rules and regulations, according to Syangja District Education Officer Balraj Poudel.

The students were appearing for the 700 marks exempted examination of School Leaving Certificate-2058.

Panchthar people waiting for light to their homes

By Our Correspondent

Phidim, Apr. 5: Residents of rural areas in the Panchthar district are waiting for the national grid to bring light to their homes.

The electrification process has been completed in the district headquarters and a local hydropower project is already in operation.

But the people there are no better off. The electricity line has not been working properly since it was extended to some other parts of the district under political pressure. This has forced the residents in the district headquarters to use kerosene lamps.

"We have spent thousands of rupees on the electrification work, and we pay Rs. 300-400 every month. Still we have no electricity," says a local resident.

In the past, the Phidim Small Hydropower Project established 20 years ago, supplied electricity to households in the area. Due to growing irregularities, the project experienced difficulties and was handed over to Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

Singer Khati bags Bhupalman Singh Award

Kathmandu, Apr. 5 (RSS): The Bhupalman Singh Karki Academic Council has decided to award Ms. Dilmaya Khati with the Bhupalman Singh Karki (music) Award- 2058. Khati was awarded for her contribution to enriching the Nepali language through the medium of modern songs in the past four decades.

Similarly, the council has decided to award the Bhupalman Singh Karki (drama) Award of the year- 2058 to Bhairav Bahadur Thapa. He was awarded for his contribution in glorifying the Nepali language and culture within the country and abroad through excellent direction and acting in the past half century.

The awards carry a purse of Rs. 50,000 each.

The meeting was chaired by the council’s founder and chairman Brigadier General Bhupalman Singh Karki.

Meanwhile, the Sarbamanya Ganeshman Singh forest conservation first prize this year has gone to Gourati Community Forest Users Group of Sindhupalchok district Pipaldada VDC, the second prize to Pallopakho community forest users group and the third prize to B.P.Nagar Community Forest Users Group, B.P Nagar, Doti.

The first prize carries a purse of Rs. 100,000, the second Rs. 50,000 and the third Rs. 25,000.

The Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation had instituted the Sarbamanya Ganeshman Singh forest conservation award in 2054 with the objective of rewarding any individual or institution making outstanding contributions in protection, promotion and management of the forest, wildlife and watershed under the national forest, leasehold forest, community forest and private forest by preventing deforestation and protecting and promoting forest at the people’s level.