By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Jan 8: Ambassador of Japan to Nepal Kikuta Yutaka has said that Japan would continue to cooperate with Nepal to fight against COVID-19 and to achieve its socio-economic development as well as recovery from the pandemic.
During a courtesy call on the Minister for Health and Population Mr. Birodh Khatiwada at the Ministry of Health and Population in Ramshahpath on Thursday, Ambassador Kikuta made the remarks. He also congratulated Minister Khatiwada for his appointment.

He informed that Japan stands ready to help Nepal in her fight against the pandemic.
During the meeting, Minister Khatiwada mentioned the long history of cooperation between Japan and Nepal and importance of bilateral relationship as well as multilateral cooperation such as COVAX.
Minister Khatiwada expressed gratitude for the contributions of Japan to Nepal, including the last year’s donation of 1.6 million doses of Japanese-made COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine and other various assistance projects in the health sector to reduce poverty and to improve the quality of life.

Ambassador Kikuta said that as the new Omicron variant was rapidly spreading, the smooth implementation of vaccination campaign in Nepal was important.
He informed that Japan stands ready to help Nepal in her fight against the pandemic.

Through the UNICEF, Japan will soon donate nine walk-in refrigerators for the storage of vaccine, which are easy to move and install without complicated constructions and are low in cost compared with the roll-in refrigerators. They will facilitate the vaccine to reach even the remote areas.