KATHMANDU, May 3: China is donating the much-needed 20,000 oxygen cylinders to Nepal as the country struggles to cope with the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population Dr Jageshwar Gautam, China has agreed to provide 20,000 oxygen gas cylinders and efforts are being made to bring them to Nepal as the country has already started facing their acute shortage.

Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said preparations are being made to import them both from the land route and air routes. Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health and Population, and the MoFA have entrusted them with the responsibility to bring them to Nepal at the earliest possible date.

On April 27, China had announced to provide Nepal with an additional grant of medical equipment and materials equivalent to RMB 5 million (approximately Rs 92 million) to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing a video conference of Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi had made the announcement to complement Nepal’s national efforts to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Officials at the MoFA said China’s assistance of 20,000 oxygen cylinders to Nepal is part of the announcement made by the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang last week. Officials said China has agreed to provide an additional grant of medical equipment and materials as requested by Nepal to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

 
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• Nepal
 
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• COVID-19