China will provide medical equipment necessary for testing and treatment of COVID-19.
Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali told Setopati that officials of the two countries are discussing about what materials to bring and how to bring. "We are talking. We have yet to decide how to bring," Gyawali stated. "We are preparing to bring the materials in a couple of days.
China had earlier asked Nepal what the country needs to fight the pandemic. "We sent the list of materials we need after consultation with the doctors."
Nepal has asked for personal protective equipment (PPE), PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test kits, viral transport medium (VTM) necessary to carry the samples, N95 masks, infra-red thermometers, portable PCRs and their reagents, portable ventilators with monitor, mobile ambulances with lab, ambulances, arterial blood gas (ABG) machines, oxygen plants, intubating sets, autoclave machines to sterilize medical equipment, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) machines, thermometers and surgical gloves from China.
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi on Monday had pledged Chinese support for Nepal in the fight against COVID-19. "We are praying for Nepal and trying our best to coordinate some medical materials to help our Nepali friends," she tweeted on Monday.
India has also given word to send a rapid response team to Nepal if necessary. "They have said they are ready to send such teams when needed," Minister Gyawali said. "But we only have one active case now and we can treat the patient ourselves."
