KATHMANDU: The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Monday handed over 1,200 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to the government of Nepal.

The PPE kits were donated by China under the Nepal, China and UNFPA south-south partnership initiative.

The kits worth Rs 30.48 million include N95 masks, surgical masks, eye goggles, face shields, long-sleeve impervious gowns, head and shoe covers, disposable bags and gumboots.

Receiving the PPE kits, Director of the Management Division, the Department of Health Services under the Ministry of Health and Population, Bhogendra Dotel said that the PPE kits which arrived timely will support in the efforts to prevent the COVID-19 spread.

UNFPA Country Representative for Nepal Lubna Baqi said it is critical to protect the frontline health workers as more people are in need of testing and treatment amid the increasing number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country.

Baqi said that UNFPA stands ready to support Nepal in its preparedness and response to this pandemic alongside WHO and other UN agencies working in Nepal.

Likewise, UNFPA has also provided Dignity Kits to address the immediate hygiene and protection needs of women and girls in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic, in coordination with the government and local partners.

These kits contain 14 different items such as soap, reusable menstrual pads, and other essential items for girls and women.