By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Apr. 23: Nepali Army on Wednesday confirmed that it was buying medicines to be used in the treatment of coronavirus patients from India at the cost of Rs. 24 million.
The NA is buying mainly 53 items of medicines under the government-to-government model as per the decision of the government.
“On Wednesday, a request letter facilitating to buy and deposit the required amount for purchasing the medicines was circulated from the Ministry of Defence, and the Defence Ministry will request the same to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Brigadier General and spokesperson of Nepali Army Bigyan Dev Pandey said.
The amount will be released by Nepal Rastra Bank, the central bank of Nepal, upon the consent of the Ministry of Finance.
Medicines to be provided by India after inking the agreement will first be made available in New Delhi-based Nepalis Embassy. And from the Embassy, the goods will be brought to Nepal, said Pandey.
The NA under the coordination of the Ministry of Health and Population had already decided that the Army would buy medicinal items only from India and medical equipment from China. From China, Nepali is buying 67 items of medical equipment and agreement to this was inked on April 19.
The purchased medicines from India will also be brought via chartered flights, according to Pandey.
Under the government-to-government procurement model, the Nepali Army has restricted any local agent in dealing and transporting the equipment and medicines from China and India respectively.