KATHMANDU: Indian Army presented 10 ICU ventilators to the Nepali Army in a bid to support its efforts to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Vinay Mohan Kwatra presented the ventilators to Sukeertimaya Rastradeep General Purna Chandra Thapa, Chief of Army Staff, Nepali Army in a ceremony held at Nepali Army Headquarters.

A statement issued by the Embassy of India in Kathmandu said that these ventilators are designed for a broad range of applications to include advanced invasive or non-invasive respiratory support.

The ventilators can be used in support of secondary care in hospitals with ICU, tertiary multispecialty hospitals and dedicated ICUs, the statement said adding, “Due to their compact nature, they are portable and handy in transportation of patients requiring intensive care.”

The Indian army has a long record of extending support to the Nepali Army as a first responder for humanitarian assistance and relief, the statement said.

The gifting of ventilators is part of this continued humanitarian cooperation between the two Armies.

During the handing over, Ambassador Kwatra reaffirmed India’s commitment to provide all necessary help to the people of Nepal in prevailing over the pandemic.