Nepal Army assigned to procure COVID-19 medical equipment

KATHMANDU: Nepal government has assigned the Nepal Army to bring medical supplies after a recent purchase from China courted controversy.

Now, the national army will take ahead the process of the procurement of medical supplies.

The government on Wednesday had scrapped what has been billed as ‘controversial procurement deal’ with the Omni Group which was entrusted to bring medical equipment from China to tackle the novel coronavirus.

“The government has assigned us to purchase medical equipment of coronavirus infection test and control,” a high-placed source at NA told Khabarhub, “We are currently preparing a list of necessary medical supplies.”

It should be added that the Omni group was prepared to import some 100,000 units of protective goggles at Rs 2100 per piece, 100,000 surgical masks at Rs 30 per piece, 100,000 gowns at Rs 1900 per piece, and 80,000 N-95 respirator masks at Rs 850 per piece.

The government was set to buy some 200,000 ordinary surgical gloves at Rs 22 per piece and 7,000 thick gloves at around Rs 125 each.

Likewise, the government was also preparing to purchase some 15,000 units of scrub tops at Rs 1000 per piece.