Sydney, Australia (CU)_ Felicity Volk, Australia’s Ambassador to Nepal, donated medical equipment valued at Rs 4.2 million to the COVID-19 Unified Central Hospital at Bir Hospital, which is affiliated with the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS). The medical supplies, which include Intensive Care Unit beds and other critical hospital products, will be utilized to build an emergency ward at COVID-19 Unified Central Hospital.
According to the press release from the Embassy of Australia, Ambassador Volk spoke about the vaccination campaign in Nepal. He said, “As the COVID-19 vaccination campaign continues in Nepal, the Australian Government is committed to supporting health security under our COVID-19 Development Response Plan. The plan focuses on providing assistance to the most vulnerable. With Nepal responding to multiple challenges simultaneously, the needs of marginalised communities are more evident than ever”.
Volk added, “Australia’s contribution of equipment through the Lutheran World Federation Nepal will strengthen Nepal’s health system and serves as a reminder of a close friendship over six decades, throughout which Nepal and Australia have supported each other.”
The Australian government donated AUD 7 million to non-profit organizations, including the Lutheran World Federation Nepal (LWF Nepal), in May 2021 to strengthen Nepal’s capacity to combat COVID-19, including the purchase of critical devices and health products for hospitals, as well as personal protective equipment for frontline health workers.
Prof Dr Dev Narayan Shah, Vice Chancellor of NAMS, Professor Dr Bhupendra Kumar Basnet, acting Chief Executive Officer of COVID-19 Unified Central Hospital, and Dr Bijaya Bajracharya, Country Director of LWF Nepal, also attended the event.
