Ncell extends support to government hospitals with oxygen concentrators

KATHMANDU, May 21: Ncell Axiata Limited on Friday handed the first batch of over 150 oxygen concentrators to the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), extending its support to the government to mitigate the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

As part of its continued corporate social responsibility (CSR) in collaboration with the MoHP against the COVID-19, Ncell has pledged to support the government with a totalof over150 units of portable oxygen concentrators. Supplemental oxygen is a basic medical requirement for the treatment of COVID-19 patients with low blood oxygen levels, according to a press statement issued by the Ncell.

Chief Executive Officer of Ncell Andy Chong handed the first batch ofoxygen concentrators on Friday to Mahendra Prasad Shrestha, Chief Specialist at the MoHP. These oxygen concentrators will be handed over to district level hospitals that are facing acute shortage of the life-saving oxygen gas.

“We are appreciative of the support that Ncell has provided with oxygen concentrators. In the current scenario these concentrators will be very crucial to save lives when there is dire shortage of oxygen,” the statement quoted Spokesperson of the MoHP Dr. Jageshwor Gautam as saying. “The support that has come in as a part of Ncell’s CSR in collaboration with MoHP will help save lives of severely ill patients with respiratory distress during this pandemic and contributes in enhancing the medical infrastructure of government hospitals especially at the district level.”

Ncell CEO Chong said they are pledging with a support of over 150 units of oxygen concentrators for hospitals to help save lives during this pandemic giving continuity to serve people in Nepal. "As a responsible corporate citizen of the country, Ncell since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, has supported the government with the sum of Rs 100 million towards COVID-19 Prevention, Control and Treatment Fund," CEO Chong said. "As a part of COVID response, we are also operating Ncell COVID-19 Hotline in collaboration with Dhulikhel Hospital, providing 24/7 COVID consultation and daily health teleconsultation free of costs to all those who are in home isolation.”

In Ncell’s COVID-19 Hotline Service 9805554500, people can call free of charge for any COVID-related health consultation with doctors and health professionals. From a call centre set up at Dhulikhel Hospital, COVID patients staying in home isolation across the country will also be provided daily health consultations delivered by qualified medical professionals, the statement further said.