By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, June 14: Medical equipment donated by three EU Member States – Slovenia, Austria and Malta – arrived at the Tribhuvan International Airport Sunday morning.
The Member States have supplied the equipment through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to assist Nepal in its fight against this terrible second COVID wave.
The delivery of the consignments today is yet another show of solidarity to the ongoing efforts of Team Europe to assist Nepal during times of need and emergency, read a statement issued by the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal on Sunday.
The relief equipment comprises antigen tests, pulse oximeters, FFP2 masks, face shields and more equipment to prevent the spread of the pandemic (see details below)
“In response to the Government of Nepal’s earlier call for support, Slovenia, Austria and Malta’ goodwill gesture for Nepal comes immediately after Spain, Finland, France, Belgium and Germany provided their support in the recent weeks and more emergency supplies from Ireland, Italy, Denmark, and Lithuania is coming,” read the statement.
Consuls of Slovenia and Austria, joined by EU Ambassador to Nepal Nona Deprez handed over the materials to Dr. Roshan Pokhrel, chief specialist, from the Ministry for Health and Population during a short ceremony at the airport this evening.
“Since the start of this pandemic, Team Europe stands in solidarity with Nepal and we will continue to do so, no one is safe until everyone is,” EU Ambassador Deprez said.
The received medical supplies from the EU Member States include 30,000 pieces of face masks, 100,000 nitrile gloves, 12,500 protective goggles, 100,000 protective masks, 600,000 non-sterile medical masks and 50,000 FFP2 masks without valves.
Similarly, they also provided 1,000 pulse oximeters, 2,400 antigen tests, 130 non-contact infrared thermometers and 5,000 face shields.