Kathmandu, Feb. 20: Ambassador of India Naveen Srivastava handed over the first tranche of 20 Kidney Dialysis Machines (KDMs) to Padam Giri, Minister for Health and Population, Government of Nepal this morning. These 20 KDMs are first of the 200 such machines that are being gifted by people and Government of India to people and Government of Nepal. The units include all the related equipments. The remaining consignment will be delivered in the near future. 

   Ambassador Srivastava in his remarks noted the long-standing development cooperation between India and Nepal, especially in the health sector and added that the gifting of these machines reflected the continued support of India as Nepal augments its health infrastructure. 

   Minister Giri, in his remarks, thanked the Government of India (GoI) for its continued developmental support in the Health sector, including for the Kidney Dialysis Machines, for boosting the medical facilities for the people of Nepal. 

   Cooperation in Health sector is a significant aspect of India-Nepal development partnership. Major health facilities constructed under GoI grant assistance include Nepal Bharat Maitri Emergency & Trauma Centre at Kathmandu, B.P Koirala Institute of Health Science in Dharan and OPD complex for Bir Hospital in Kathmandu, apart from nearly 50 health-related High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) undertaken in various districts of Nepal. GoI is also providing post-Earthquake Reconstruction grant assistance of USD 50 million for the construction of 132 health posts in various earthquake-affected districts of Nepal. During COVID, apart from providing vaccines under bilateral grant (over 2 million doses) and through COVAX, GoI supported Nepal in enhancing physical capacity of health institutions and supplied medical equipment like ICU beds and medical Oxygen plants, essential medicines, RT-PCR test kits PPE, Ventilators etc. GoI also provides Ambulances every year to various health institutions of Nepal. Till date, 940 ambulances have been distributed covering almost all districts of Nepal. 

   As close neighbors, India and Nepal share wide-ranging & multi-sectoral cooperation. The gifting of these KDMs reflects the continued support of the Government of India in bolstering the Government of Nepal’s efforts to build healthy Nepal.