NRNA

Introduction:

Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) is trying its best to support Nepal Government as well as Nepalese stranded and suffering in destination countries due to Covid-19 Pandemic. NRNA has been mobilizing its National Coordination Councils (NCC), established in 84 Countries, to rescue and provide relief packages to the victims. NRNA is making all its effort to manage the impact of COVID 19 pandemic in Nepal by adopting both strategic and operational approaches at various levels of its networks.

The NRNA International Coordination Council (ICC) has formed a High-Level Committee on Coronavirus Pandemic Mitigation, which is led by the NRNA President, parliaments members, different experts, bureaucrats, medical doctors, professionals, NRNA executives are the members to combat Coronavirus’ impact on global Nepali communities by mobilizing resources to help the needy and to assist Government of Nepal in developing quick and effective counter measures.
The NRNA High-Level Committee has prepared a strategic plan for awareness, Relief, Repatriation, and Rehabilitation and submitted it to various stakeholders of the Nepal Government. The High-Level Committee has proposed short-term strategies through various programs to be continued or launched to support all the efforts made by the concerned stakeholders at various levels in Nepal and abroad and the long-term strategic programs support Nepal and global Nepali community to effectively address similar public health crisis in the future.

The short-term solutions included the operational programs handled largely through the NRNA High-Level Committee and NRNA Health Committee while the long-term solutions have taken the form of a Master Plan based on the foundational work done in coordination with NCCs and Nepalese Missions abroad in developing database, formulating health emergency preparedness, repatriation and rehabilitation in Nepal and abroad.

Highlights of Activities Undertaken by NRNA:
High-level committee under leadership of NRNA President formed to mitigate the effects of Covid-19 in Nepal and to facilitate Relief, Repatriation and Rehabilitation.

NRNA created the promotional materials for creating awareness on Covid-19 Pandemic and published it in social media and sent it to its members as well as in local FM Radio of Nepal.
It has mobilized the doctors, public health experts and medical professionals for mitigation and combating Covid-19 and its adverse effect on health of people by initiating Tele health consultation. Health teams have been formed in the Middle East, Oceania, Asia Pacific, Europe and Africa.
NRNA Health Committee tracked Nepalis infected, recovered and deaths related to COVID-19 infection globally, each week, for 37 weeks. The information and data collected have been used by governments, international agencies and public.
NRNA Health Committee prepared guidelines to general public and health professionals on how to remain uninfected and to manage those that are infected.
NRNA has immediately supported the stranded workers and students in the destination countries by providing relief package, counselling and even at times by providing jobs.
It conducted regular meetings with different ministries of the Government of Nepal, health professionals and other stakeholders for conducting joint efforts against Covid-19.
NRNA provided the PPEs and Test Kits to Ministry of Health, Government of Nepal immediate after spread of the pandemic when there was extreme crisis of such materials.
NRNA conducted different meetings with Missions of Nepal abroad in the august presence of the Foreign Minister to assist Nepalese stranded overseas.
NRNA NCCs worked together with Government and Philanthropic Organization of destination countries and conducted joint venture relief distribution activities.
NRNA supported in contact tracing in Karnali Province by mobilizing local doctors and medical professional in coordination of Health Committee.
NRNA started project “COVID-19 Response to Nepali Migrant Workers” for relief, repatriation and rehabilitation of Migrant workers from Middle East and Malaysia in July 2020 till August 2021.
The NRNA High-Level Committee prepared a strategic plan to Manage Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic and submitted it to various stakeholders of the Nepal Government.

Amid the impact of the second wave of the Covid-19 Pandemic, there was scarcity of Oxygen in Nepal. In the immediate response, NRNA has done following activities:

NRNA handed over Oxygen Cylinders 1010 to Nepal Government and Regional Hospitals.
NRNA donated 777 Oxygen Concentrators to Nepal Government, government hospitals, health post and isolation centers.

OXYGEN PLANT PROJECT:
For the long-term solution of the scarcity of Oxygen Plant, NRNA has decided to donate four Oxygen Plants to different regional hospitals at the recommendation of Department of Health Service through the Ministry of Health and Population. The NRNA has handed over the work related to Oxygen Plants to NRN Foundation led by NRNA Past President Jiba Lamichhane.

The committee coordinated with DoHS and MoHP for selection of the sites. The selected hospitals and their address are as follows:

Chitwan Hospital, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Bagamati Province
Karnali Academy of Health Sciences,Jumala, Karnali Province
Seti Provincial Hospital, Dhangadhi, Sudurpahim Province
Mahakali Provincial Hospital, Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur, Sudurpachim Province

Send Oxygen to Nepal and Save the Life of Near and Dear Ones campaign (2021)

The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) launched the “Send Oxygen to Nepal and Save the Life of Near and Dear Ones” campaign in response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s second wave, which spread rapidly in Kathmandu. The campaign aimed to alleviate the oxygen crisis and save lives, raising around 48 million Nepali Rupees. NRNA, with support from the Middle East, donated 560 medical oxygen cylinders and accessories to the Nepal government on May 21, 2021. NRNA also purchased 538 oxygen concentrators from China, which were delivered to Kathmandu on June 5, 2021.

The NRNA planned to distribute the concentrators to all seven provinces in coordination with the government. Additionally, NRNA, with contributions from NCCs in the UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, South Korea, Italy, and China, purchased 538 oxygen concentrators from China. Recognizing that the supply of oxygen cylinders and concentrators was a temporary solution, NRNA established oxygen plants in seven provinces to ensure a constant supply of oxygen in the long run. The NRNA also appealed to the international community for assistance in bringing vaccines to Nepal. The NRNA remained committed to supporting and helping its Nepali compatriots during this challenging period.

Inspection of Oxygen Plant by NCC China in Factory:

NRNA NCC China team went for inspection of oxygen plant machine in factory on 15^th September, 2021 under leadership of NCC General Secreatary, Yadav Aryal. The team did inspection of parameters of machine if it reach our requirements or not and as per Shisir Research and Development Udhyog. All parameters were met according to them. After inspection, the transportation was done.

Joint Inspection of Oxygen Plants by NRN Foundation and NRNA Team

On 18^th Jan, 2022, NRN Foundation and NRNA Team jointly inspected the Oxygen Plants at Seti Provincial Hospital and Mahakali Provincial Hopsital.

Updated Report as submitted by GC Research Development Udhyog (2^nd January, 2023)

1) Bharatpur Hospital, Chitwan:- Oxygen Plant Installation & testing work finished & waiting for handover program from NRNA.
2) Seti Hospital, Dhangadi:- Oxygen Plant Installation Work finished & Ready for handover. Due to low voltage problem hospital needs to put stablizer to operate the plant.
3) Rakam Karnali Hospital, Karnali:- Oxygen Plant Installation Work finished & Ready for handover. Due to low voltage problem hospital needs to put stablizer to operate the plant. The hospital is planning to inaugurate the oxygen plant as soon as possible
4) Mahakali Hospital, Mahendranagar:- Oxygen Plant Installation Work done but hospital said they don’t have fund for electricity supply in the oxygen plant site so we have to wait for 6months for next budget to run the plant