Author: Raj Kumar Silwal
Kathmandu. During the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when not just Nepal but the entire world was gripped by fear and uncertainty, Dr. Abul Hussain Ansari emerged as a beacon of hope and humanity. At a time when there were no reliable treatments, no adequate medicines, and the government itself was struggling to cope, Nepal faced a severe medical supply crisis after neighboring India imposed export restrictions on essential drugs. In this critical moment, Dr. Ansari played a decisive role by importing life-saving medicines from various countries, strengthening Nepal’s battle against the pandemic.
Dr. Ansari chartered five planes to bring in essential first-line medicines used to treat COVID-19 patients. Recognizing his efforts, the Government of Nepal and the Ministry of Health publicly listed his name along with five other individuals on their official website, urging all government and non-government institutions to coordinate with them for medical supplies. Following this, large-scale distribution of medicines and oxygen cylinders began across the country, reaching hospitals and health centers at record speed.
In addition to supplying medicines, Dr. Ansari prioritized his social responsibility by distributing 5.2 million paracetamol tablets free of cost across 26 districts. He also took the initiative to support frontline health workers by arranging free morning and evening meals at various hospitals. A daily system was put in place to deliver food based on the number of health workers on duty, providing much-needed relief to those working tirelessly on the frontlines.
In another remarkable act, when the Government of Nepal planned to spend NPR 4.2 million to charter a plane to transport medical aid donated by the Government of Bangladesh, Dr. Ansari stepped in. He offered to carry all the supplies on his already chartered plane free of cost, saving the government a significant amount of money. Alongside this, he launched a widespread campaign to provide essential medicines free of charge to economically vulnerable citizens.
With a team of 20 members, Dr. Ansari worked on the frontlines for months, offering free medical support and services. He set up two distribution camps in the Kathmandu Valley, where paracetamol tablets were distributed continuously for 10 days. Reflecting on that period, Dr. Ansari shared, “Those were extremely painful times, but it was the collective support and helping hands that helped the country overcome the crisis.” His remarkable contributions remain one of the most inspiring stories of Nepal’s pandemic response.
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