Local hero leads by example as Nepal fights Covid-19 stigma

Shrestha at the wheel of an ambulance with a face mask and protective suit. He has continued to work throughout the coronavirus pandemic, as Nepal faces a shortage of ambulance drivers due to Covid-19 fears. Photos: dpa

An ambulance driver in Nepal who plays the role of "a demon" during a popular medieval festival has become an inspiration as the Himalayan nation finds itself in the midst of an ambulance crisis due to the fear and stigma attached to Covid-19.

Aalm Khan, a human rights activist, says that the second person to die due to Covid-19 in Nepal had waited 12 hours in vain for an ambulance.