The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) has instructed all public hospitals across the country to form  'rapid response teams’ in view of the elections to the House of Representatives (HoR) scheduled for March 5.

According to Spokesperson at MoHP, Dr Prakash Budhathoki, the directive was issued for potential emergency medical service during the elections.

Spokesperson Budhathoki informed that hospitals at federal, provincial and local levels were instructed to rapidly form such teams consisting of five to 25 members, depending on the hospitals' available human resources. 

Budhathoki further said the rapid response team would coordinate with the District Administration Office to treat those experiencing medical emergencies including injuries during the election and manage ambulances to take the injured ones to hospitals.

A team of medical specialists at the hospital will provide treatment to those requiring medical intervention, he added. 

Budhathoki also shared that the Ministry had directed all public healthcare facilities to suspend all OPD services on the day of election and run only emergency services. 

Even the District Emergency Operation Centers in all 77 districts are directed to remain standby.