KATMANDOU, December 5, 2021 – Two new oxygen production plants went into operation at Lumbini Provincial Hospital in Lumbini Province and Janakpur Provincial Hospital in Province 2 on December 5, 2021. These World Bank-funded plants are operating. part of a long-term solution to increase Nepal’s capacity for a stronger response to the COVID-19 pandemic and empower provincial hospitals to meet therapeutic oxygen needs.

Low energy pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen production plants were inaugurated by Dr Madan Kumar Upadhyaya, Head of Division of the Ministry of Health and Population, and Faris Hadad-Zervos , World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. . Similar factories will be operational in the remaining five provinces – Damak Municipal Hospital of Province 1, Hetauda Hospital of Bagmati Province, Western Regional Hospital of Gandaki Province, Provincial Hospital. Hospital in Karnali Province and Mahakali Provincial Hospital in Sudurpaschim Province – by December 20. 2021.

“The government is making a concerted effort to build the capacity of public hospitals and ensure that they are self-sufficient and have an adequate supply of medical oxygen to meet increased demand in the event of future waves of COVID-19,” noted Birodh Khatiwada, Minister of Health and Population. “We appreciate the continued support that the World Bank and other development partners are giving to our efforts to respond effectively to the pandemic. “*

The oxygen plants have been purchased, installed and will be fully operated and maintained for a period of three years by UNOPS as part of the COVID-19 emergency response and health systems readiness project funded by the United Nations. World Bank, which also funded 1,000 10-liter oxygen units. concentrators distributed to peripheral health facilities across the country in June 2021. The factories will ensure an uninterrupted supply of high quality medical oxygen through the central medical gas pipeline system to the hospitals, where they are installed. In addition, oxygen can also be used to fill at least 24 46.7 liter cylinders for emergency relief and supplies to outlying hospitals or ambulances.

“* Having essential infrastructure, equipment and supplies in the right places – like these oxygen factories in frontline hospitals strategically located in each province – is important to being able to respond to the health crises posed by the COVID pandemic. -19 ” said Faris Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. “We reaffirm our continued support to Nepal and the Nepalese, to help build stronger and more resilient systems to deal with pandemics and other health shocks. “

The oxygen plants were inaugurated as part of a joint field visit by heads of agencies and senior representatives from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the European Union, the Directorate of Swiss development and cooperation, the International Labor Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization. It included an observation visit and discussion on the multi-phased Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal regional transport and trade facilitation program in Nepal, the first phase of which is under preparation. He focused on the potential development of the Tinau Bridge in Lumbini Province as an iconic bridge – a green architectural landmark the concept of which will be further discussed in various consultations with relevant local governments and stakeholders. main stakeholders.

The delegation also visited field sites and interacted with local government and the local community as part of the Nepal Livestock Sector Innovation Project and Food and Nutrition Security Enhancement Project supported by the World Bank, currently being implemented in Lumbini Province and Province 2 respectively.

Contacts

In Kathmandu

External Affairs Officer
Akash Shrestha

[email protected]