Taskforce formed to facilitate oxygen supply

KATHMANDU: The government has formed a task force as it seeks to make the supply of medical oxygen crucial for the treatment of COVID-19 easier.  

The six-member task force led by Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Prem Kumar Shrestha, was formed at the direction of COVID-19 Crisis Management Centre Coordinator and Deputy Prime Minister Ishwar Pokhrel. 

According to DPM’s press advisor Ganesh Pandey, the taskforce comprises joint-secretary each from the Ministry of Home; and the Ministry of Health and Population, and a doctor each from the Birendra Hospital, Armed Police Force Hospital and Nepal Police Hospital. The taskforce will facilitate the supply of medical oxygen for the hospitalised who are infected. 

The current stock of oxygen in Nepal is 6,288 cylinders and the daily consumption is 1,411.5 liters. The government is preparing to bring 20,000 oxygen cylinders from China to cope with the potential crisis when it is struggling with the increasing surge of COVID-19 cases. People are requested to contact three hotline services: 01-4271730, 01-4286660 and toll free number 1140 in case of any issues during the pandemic.

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