KATHMANDU: The Dhulikhel community hospital is to receive financial aid of Rs. 68 million from the government to help its efforts to provide treatment to COVID-19 patients.

The aid was announced under the ‘Health Sector Fast-track Action Plan’ by the Ministry of Finance to manage the second wave of the pandemic that has hit the country severely. The budget was appropriated on Sunday.

Along with Dhulikhel, the government has allocated a budget of around 3 billion rupees to 25 federal hospitals and nine provincial hospitals for procuring medical supplies, including ventilator and oxygen plants.

With the added funds, the Dhulikhel hospital will be expanding its capacity to treat COVID-19 patients.

“This support by the government will contribute to provide treatment to the COVID-19 patients including for necessary oxygen supply,” said Prof Dr Rajendra Koju at the hospital. The hospital is currently running a 125-bed COVID-19 treatment center.

Along with Kavrepalanchowk, the hospital has also been receiving COVID-19 patients from neighboring Sindhupalchowk, Dolakha, Sindhuli and the eastern Tarai districts.