Australian ambassador hands over medical equipment to Bir Hospital

Australia’s ambassador to Nepal Felicity Volk provided medical equipment worth Rs 4.2 million to the Covid-19 Unified Central Hospital at Bir Hospital under the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS).

The equipment, including Intensive Care Unit beds and other equipment, will be used to establish an emergency ward in the Covid-19 Unified Central Hospital, according to a press note issued by the Australian Embassy in Kathmandu. "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," Volk has been quoted in the press note. "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."

"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," she added.

In May, the Australian government provided Aus$7 million to NGOs including the Lutheran World Federation Nepal (LWF Nepal) to boost Nepal’s ability to address Covid-19, including through the procurement of essential equipment and health supplies for hospitals and personal protective equipment for health workers.

Vice Chancellor of NAMS Prof Dr Dev Narayan Shah, acting chief executive officer of Covid-19 Unified Central Hospital, Prof Dr Bhupendra Kumar Basnet, and LWF Nepal country director Dr Bijaya Bajracharya were present on the occasion.