November 28, 2005

Nepal seeks US$8.1-million bird flu aid package

The Nepali Ministry of Health and Population has sought a US$8.1-million aid package from the WHO, for a national bird flu pandemic preparedness and response plan.     

No case of bird flu has been reported in the country yet, but prevention is always better than cure, said the country's Epidemiology and Disease Control Division's director Mahendra Bahadur Bista.

About US$3.1 million will be allocated for the prevention and reduction of risk to humans, US$4 million for health systems preparation and responsibility, US$75,000 for planning and co-ordination, US$632,000 for surveillance, US$45,000 for communication and US$225,000 for laboratory development.

The main objectives of the proposed plan include to stop the spread of bird flu in Nepal, and to develop a surveillance system for migratory birds, according to Bista.